STANLEY, N.C. — Tragedy struck the family of NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin over the weekend as his father passed away and his mother was left critically injured following a devastating fire at their North Carolina residence, authorities reported on Monday.

Firefighters responded to an emergency call at a two-story house near Stanley on Sunday night, discovering the structure largely consumed by flames, with fire visible from the attic, according to a statement from the Gaston County Office of Emergency Management and Fire Services.

Upon arrival, emergency personnel found 75-year-old Dennis Hamlin and 69-year-old Mary Lou Hamlin outside the home, both suffering from severe injuries. Dennis Hamlin succumbed to his injuries at a nearby hospital, officials confirmed.

Mary Lou Hamlin was transported to Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Burn Center in Winston-Salem, where she remained in critical care as of Monday, officials stated.

The intense blaze led to the collapse of the house, and the cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

Stanley is located about 20 miles (32 kilometers) northwest of Charlotte.

The home is owned by a company called Won One Real Estate that lists Denny Hamlin as its manager, according to local property tax records and a business document filing with the North Carolina Secretary of State’s Office.

Representatives for Hamlin had not responded to requests for comment as of Monday evening.

Hamlin is one of the marquee drivers in NASCAR’s top circuit, having won 60 NASCAR Cup Series races, including the Daytona 500 three times.

The 45-year-old driver for Joe Gibbs Racing has yet to win a Cup points championship. He fell short of the title during this season’s final race in Arizona last month.

Weeks earlier, Hamlin said his father – who nearly went broke with financial sacrifices to try to get his son into NASCAR – was battling a serious illness, and that he didn’t have much time left to live.

“I know for a fact this is my last chance for my dad to see it. I don’t want him going and never getting to see the moment,” Hamlin told The Associated Press.

Hamlin also mentioned his dad in emotional testimony this month at the start of a federal antitrust trial against NASCAR brought in part by 23XI Racing, which is owned by Hamlin and Basketball Hall of Famer Michael Jordan. NASCAR, 23XI Racing and another race team reached a settlement during the trial before jurors ever deliberated.

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Sainz reported from Memphis, Tennessee.