NASCAR

NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin is speaking out for the first time since his father, Dennis Hamlin, died in a house fire owned by Denny.

In a social media post Wednesday, Denny says ... "Thank you to everyone who has reached out with condolences on my father's passing."

Denny's mother, Mary Lou, was also home when the fire broke out, and she was hospitalized with critical injuries ... but it sounds like she's making progress in her recovery.

The NASCAR family is teaming up to support Denny Hamlin after his father died in a house fire ... with the organization offering support and its condolences to him and his loved ones.

The car racing giant released an emotional statement on Tuesday in reaction to the news that Dennis Hamlin, 75, passed away after suffering injuries from a blaze at a home in Stanley, North Carolina. Denny's mother, Mary Lou, was also critically injured in the tragedy.

"NASCAR extends its deepest condolences to Denny Hamlin and the entire Hamlin family," the organization said.

10:50 AM PT -- One of the two victims has died, according to local outlet WJZY-TV. Neither victim has been identified. The cause of the fire remained under investigation Monday.

Two individuals were hospitalized for potential smoke inhalation after a fire broke out at a home owned by NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin in Stanley, North Carolina on Sunday night.

Lucia Riverbend Fire Chief David Toomey told The Athletic the fire was reported at 6:19 PM ET. Flames were still visible on the home's roof at 9:30 PM, and emergency personnel apparently started winding down operations about two hours later.

Toomey said roughly 40 to 45 percent of the home was burning when first responders arrived at the scene, and he said personnel from more than 10 fire departments arrived due to the lack of fire hydrants near the home in a heavily wooded area.

He also said several "really expensive cars," as well as various pieces of racing memorabilia, were located in the home's garage and were saved by first responders.

Greg Biffle and his wife sent their holiday card in the mail before they died in a fatal plane crash ... and the season's greeting is just now showing up in mailboxes of relatives and friends.

One of Biffle's friends, a restaurant owner in North Carolina named Ron Herbert, says he checked his mail Sunday and found a holiday card from the Biffles.

Herbert shared the card on social media ... and it shows Greg, wife Cristina, his daughter Emma, and their son Ryder in matching outfits -- blue jeans and white shirts -- smiling and laughing in front of flocked Christmas trees.

The plane carrying NASCAR great Greg Biffle, his family, and friends impacted trees, approach lights, and an airport fence, leaving a 1,800-foot trail of wreckage, and tragically killing everyone on board ... the National Transportation Safety Board announced.

The NTSB, which arrived on the scene Thursday night, held a press briefing this afternoon, just over 24 hours after the crash ... as details surrounding the 10-minute flight, and fatal crash, come into focus.

Dan Baker, the investigator in charge, provided info about the flight's final moments.

Horrifying new video shows the precise moment a plane carrying NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and his family crashed and exploded in flames Thursday, killing everyone on board.

Security footage captured the corporate jet turning into a ball of fire as it crash-landed near a runway at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina. The aircraft was scheduled to fly to Florida, but not long after takeoff, it turned back to the airport before crashing.

As you can see from the clip, the plane was reduced to what looks like a burning oil slick with black smoke rising into the sky. All seven people on the plane died, including Biffle, his wife, Cristina and two children -- Emma, 14, and Ryder, 5.

Late NASCAR star Greg Biffle's wife, Cristina, sent her mom an alarming message minutes before they died in a plane crash.

Cristina Biffle texted her mother, "We're in trouble," according to PEOPLE.

Greg's mother-in-law, Cathy Grossu, told the outlet that's all she heard from her daughter before the plane crash ... and she says the family is "devastated" and "brokenhearted."

2:06 PM PT -- Greg Biffle and wife Cristina Biffle died, along with Greg's daughter Emma -- who he had with his ex-wife Nicole Lunders -- and Greg and Cristina's 2-year-old son Ryder. Dennis Dutton, his son Jack Dutton, and Craig Wadsworth were also killed.

Their families released a joint statement, reading in part ...

"We are devastated by the loss of our loved ones. This tragedy has left all of our families heartbroken beyond words," the statement said. "Each of them meant everything to us, and their absence leaves an immeasurable void in our lives."

The statement continued ... "We ask for privacy, compassion and understanding as we grieve and begin to process this unimaginable loss. We are grateful for the kindness and support that has been extended to our families during this incredibly difficult time."

Legendary NASCAR driver Greg Biffle is among the dead after a fiery plane crash in North Carolina ... TMZ Sports has confirmed.

The Cessna C550, a light private jet registered to a company owned by the star driver, crash landed near a runway at Statesville Regional Airport on Thursday morning, 26 minutes after the aircraft took off from the same air strip, killing the 55-year-old and others onboard.

The plane was originally scheduled to travel to Florida, but the Cessna seemed to turn back towards the airport just minutes into the flight.

Garrett Mitchell, aka YouTuber Cleetus McFarland, says Biffle and his family were traveling to spend the day with him, but tragically never made it.

NASCAR and Michael Jordan's 23XI Racing team's court battle is over -- the attorney representing Jordan and Front Row Motorsports in their antitrust lawsuit told a judge the two sides reached a settlement on Thursday.

Jeffery Kessler, who represented the sides suing the racing giant, told reporters outside the courthouse that he believes the settlement will "grow this sport."

"Gonna be great for the teams and for NASCAR, but most importantly, for the fans."

Former NASCAR driver Michael Annett has reportedly died.

Annett's death was announced by his former team, JR Motorsports, on Friday. He drove for them between 2017 and 2021, when he retired. NASCAR.com also confirmed the sad news.

It is not clear how he died, but his fellow former NASCAR driver Brad Keselowski said on X he's "glad he is no longer suffering."

This blonde bombshell will make anyone's engine roar ... Can you guess which actress revved up the NASCAR crowd this weekend?!?

This celeb hottie -- known for having great jeans -- often brings feelings of "Euphoria," even if it's "Anyone But You" ...

Druski's viral NASCAR skit sparked a good ol' fashioned down-home racial debate across America -- totally the type of comedy the world needs, says Brandon T. Jackson.

Movie buffs remember Brandon's portrayal in the 2008 Ben Stiller-directed comedy blockbuster "Tropic Thunder" as "Alpa Chino" ... the rapper stranded in the jungle who told Robert Downey Jr.'s character -- who was in blackface -- his hijinks weren't appreciated.

TMZ Hip Hop linked with Brandon following the Druski firestorm, and he says canceling Druski would be like canceling RDJ's unforgettable performance in "Tropic Thunder" ... no dice!!!

Druski broke the internet, the Bible Belt and the Mason-Dixon Line overnight with his NASCAR comedy skit where he completely transformed into a fun-loving, beer-chuggin' WHITE MAN -- dividing the country's opinions -- sort of like a pres... eh, you get the picture.

The influential comedian leaned into the stir he caused on social media with another mini-skit of him huffing a cig as if he were flustered ... while James Brown's "It's A Man's World" blares in the background.

Druski amassed over a million on his IG likes alone in the first day the skit shot out the gate ... some people loved it, while others hated it!!!

Druski is back with another racial skit ... and this time he's playing a white man who is proud to be an American ... and his hair and makeup are something to behold.

The comedian known for his viral skits dressed up in whiteface for his most recent video ... going undercover at a recent NASCAR race.

Druski looks white in the video, and he's got a bunch of tattoos and even some sunburns. He's got a beard, mullet and a cowboy hat to go with some denim overalls.

Fans of Frankie Muniz will have to wait to see him get behind the No. 33 truck again ... as the actor-turned-NASCAR driver busted his wrist in a freak accident -- putting him on the sideline "for the next few weeks."

Muniz shared the news on his social media Thursday, saying he fell off the top of a ladder while changing the batteries in his backyard Ring camera ... forcing him out of competition for the foreseeable future.

"While I'm gutted to miss the races, I'm grateful it wasn't worse," Muniz wrote. "I feel for my team, who've poured their hearts into this season, and I'm thankful for @FordPerformance and their unwavering support."

H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler -- a legend in the world of NASCAR and the former president and General Manager of the Charlotte Motor Speedway -- has passed away at the age of 86.

His passing was shared on Thursday ... with a statement saying he died "peacefully of natural causes yesterday, surrounded by loving family."

Jim France -- NASCAR Chairman and CEO -- called Wheeler a "visionary whose name became synonymous with promotion and innovation in our sport."