Authorities in Gaston County released their findings this week, concluding that while the fire originated inside a bedroom, the precise cause of ignition remains undetermined. The incident has drawn attention beyond the local community because of Hamlin’s prominence in American motorsports.

The Dec. 28 fire occurred at a two-story home near Stanley, roughly 20 miles northwest of Charlotte. Emergency crews responded to the residence and found Dennis and Mary Lou Hamlin outside the home suffering from what officials described as catastrophic injuries.

Investigation Findings

According to a report issued by Gaston County Emergency Management & Fire Services, the fire began in a bedroom of the residence. However, despite a full review, investigators were unable to identify the specific source that ignited the blaze.

Gaston County spokesperson Adam Gaub confirmed in an email that the fire was classified as accidental. No evidence suggested foul play or criminal activity, officials said.

Such determinations are not uncommon in residential fire investigations, where severe structural damage can complicate efforts to pinpoint an exact ignition source. In this case, authorities did not provide additional detail about potential contributing factors.

Victims and Aftermath

Dennis Hamlin, 75, later died from injuries sustained in the fire. Mary Lou Hamlin survived. Officials have not released further information about her condition.

Dennis Hamlin had been seriously ill in the year before his death, according to previous public remarks by his son. The family has not publicly commented on the investigative findings.

Property records show that the home was owned by a company listing Denny Hamlin as its manager. The property is located near Stanley, a community in Gaston County within commuting distance of Charlotte, a hub for NASCAR teams and operations.

Residential fires remain a leading cause of injury and death in the United States, with federal data showing that bedrooms and living areas are among the most common points of origin. While many incidents are ultimately ruled accidental, investigators frequently cite electrical malfunctions, heating equipment, or smoking materials as potential sources when evidence is limited.

Hamlin’s NASCAR Career

Denny Hamlin is one of the most successful active drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series. Over the course of his career, he has won 60 Cup Series races, including three victories in the Daytona 500, one of the sport’s most prestigious events.

Beyond his role as a driver, Hamlin is also a team co-owner. Alongside basketball legend Michael Jordan, he co-founded 23XI Racing, which fields cars in NASCAR’s premier series. The team’s driver, Tyler Reddick, won this year’s Daytona 500, marking a significant achievement for the organization.

Charlotte and its surrounding counties, including Gaston County, form the operational center of NASCAR, home to team headquarters, fabrication shops, and training facilities. For many in the region, motorsports is not only a profession but a multigenerational family enterprise.

The fire investigation closes one chapter in a tragic event that unfolded during the holiday season. While the cause of ignition remains unknown, authorities have concluded their review, categorizing the blaze as accidental.

No further updates from local officials have been announced.

Source: AP News – North Carolina fire that killed NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin’s father ruled accidental; cause unknown

The post North Carolina Fire That Killed Denny Hamlin’s Father Ruled Accidental, Cause Undetermined appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

Fuel strategy has always been one of the most dramatic—and mysterious—elements of a NASCAR race. Fans could see the speed, throttle, and brake data. But one thing they never had access to? Fuel consumption.

Until now.

Thanks to Prime Video’s new on-screen innovation—the Burn Bar—viewers can finally see in real time just how much fuel each car is using. It’s a game-changing feature that’s pulling back the curtain on one of the sport’s most closely guarded secrets.

What Is the Burn Bar?

Developed by Prime Video using AI and in-car telemetry, the Burn Bar estimates miles per gallon based on a range of performance data—throttle, RPMs, car position, and more. While race teams have always tracked this data privately down to the ounce, they’ve never shared it for competitive reasons. Now, fans get to follow the same kind of strategy calculations that decide who coasts to victory—and who runs out on the final lap.

There’s no fuel sensor on the car. Instead, the AI uses mathematical modeling to create live estimates. NASCAR on Prime analyst and former crew chief Steve Letarte helped develop the tool with Amazon Web Services and Sam Schwartzstein, who also helped create analytics tools for Prime Vision’s Thursday Night Football broadcasts.

“It’s the first real tool that takes data off the car and turns it into something fans can understand—and that teams are actually using,” said Letarte.

Battle-Tested on the Track

The Burn Bar quietly debuted during Prime’s first NASCAR broadcast at the Coca-Cola 600 on May 25. Since then, it’s been showing up more frequently, most recently during the high-stakes race in Michigan.

That race gave the Burn Bar its biggest test yet: 48 laps with no caution flags. Most drivers made their final pit stop with 50 laps to go, meaning every last drop of fuel mattered.

Prime Video analysts projected William Byron would run out—and he did. Denny Hamlin was another close call. After winning the race, his car had to be pushed into victory lane. “What a cool way to see this feature come to life,” said Schwartzstein. “It elevated the whole broadcast.”

More Tools on the Horizon

For Prime Video, the Burn Bar is just the beginning.

“This has opened up the door for more innovation,” said Alex Strand, Prime Video’s senior coordinating producer for live sports. “It shows that anything’s possible. We’re ending Year 1 with a feature that’s already resonated with fans—it raises the bar for what we can build next.”

Prime Video is in the first year of a seven-year deal to air five NASCAR races each season. After Sunday’s race in Mexico City, the final event of the 2025 Prime slate will be at Pocono on June 22.

One thing’s clear: fans are getting closer than ever to the strategy under the hood—and Prime Video’s just getting started.

Source: AP News – How Prime Video’s ‘Burn Bar’ is changing the way we watch NASCAR

The post How Prime Video’s Burn Bar Is Revolutionizing NASCAR Broadcasts appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

Memorial Day weekend brings more than just a race—it’s a moment of reflection and honor. Each car in Sunday night’s Coca-Cola 600 will bear the name of a fallen soldier, reminding fans and drivers alike that the stakes go beyond the track.

But for Kyle Larson, this Sunday is also about making motorsports history.

Kyle Larson’s High-Stakes “Double” Bid Ends Early in Indy

Larson entered the weekend with hopes of completing the grueling Indy 500–Coke 600 doubleheader, aiming to become the first driver to win both races on the same day. His attempt at the Indy 500 ended on Lap 92 after a crash, but his journey doesn’t stop there.

The No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports team remains a dominant force on 1.5-mile tracks, giving Larson a strong shot to extend his points lead and leave his mark in Charlotte, even without the full double.

Formidable Rivals: Bell and Hamlin Aren’t Just Watching

If Larson wants the crown, he’ll have to get through two heavyweights:

• Christopher Bell: Last year’s rain-shortened winner already has three top-10s in five Coke 600 starts. Fresh off an All-Star Race win, Bell enters with momentum and a growing reputation as a clutch driver on mile-and-a-half ovals.
• Denny Hamlin: A proven master at Charlotte, Hamlin is tied with Kyle Busch for the most top-10 finishes (12) among active drivers in this race. He’s already won the 600 in the Next Gen car and thrives in high-pressure, long-distance races.

Drivers to Watch: Who Else Could Shake Things Up?

William Byron
A hometown favorite and two-time Daytona 500 champ, Byron has three top-4 finishes in his last four Coke 600s. He’s been knocking on the door—could this finally be his moment?

Tyler Reddick
Five starts, five top-10s. His last two runs? 5th in 2023 and 4th in 2024. Reddick is quietly building a reputation as a late-race closer in NASCAR’s longest race.

Ryan Blaney
Blaney turned heads two years ago with a breakout win that ended a 59-race drought and fueled his first championship run. Despite a shaky 2025 season, his speed and passing stats suggest he’s still a serious threat.

Ross Chastain
Chastain is outperforming his qualifying all season, regularly gaining 10+ spots during races. He dominated in 2022 with 153 laps led before chaos derailed his run. If he stays clean, he’s a sleeper pick for a crown-jewel win.

Ty Gibbs
Gibbs is set to make his 100th Cup start on Sunday. While his recent 1.5-mile track results have been underwhelming, he did score a 6th place finish in last year’s 600. Could this milestone race be the breakthrough?

Racing Insights’ Top 10 Projections for the Coca-Cola 600:

1. Kyle Larson (#5)
2. William Byron (#24)
3. Tyler Reddick (#45)
4. Christopher Bell (#20)
5. Alex Bowman (#48)
6. Denny Hamlin (#11)
7. Chase Elliott (#9)
8. Chris Buescher (#17)
9. Ryan Blaney (#12)
10. Chase Briscoe (#19)

The Bottom Line

Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 is more than just a test of speed—it’s a test of heart, endurance, and legacy. With Larson chasing history, Hamlin and Bell looking to extend theirs, and a deep field of challengers ready to pounce, this year’s race promises to be a Memorial Day battle to remember.

Source: NASCAR – Racing Insights: Bell, Hamlin stand in Larson’s way of history

The post Kyle Larson’s Quest for Double Victory Ends Early at Indy 500 appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

Katherine Legge, the British racing driver making waves in NASCAR, has opened up about the relentless hate and death threats she’s faced since entering the sport in March. The 44-year-old has been bombarded with thousands of vile messages, including disturbing threats such as “you need to be assassinated” and “swallow a shotgun.” Some have even gone so far as to suggest she take her own life.

Legge initially tried to ignore the online trolls, but after a tough weekend at Rockingham, she decided to speak out. In an exclusive interview with CNN Sports, she described the escalating toxicity she’s encountered on social media, highlighting the need for people to call out this kind of behavior.

“Online bullying is getting more toxic, and I think that somebody needs to call it out,” she said. “It’s shocking to read some of the vile things that people write. There just seems to be this whole online movement where people think it’s OK to say things they would never have the courage to say to someone face-to-face—or that they absolutely shouldn’t.”

Sadly, Legge is not alone in facing such abuse. Many female athletes have come forward in recent years to share their own experiences with online threats. College basketball star Angel Reese and WNBA’s Breanna Stewart have both opened up about receiving death threats and other horrific messages. Tennis player Caroline Garcia even reported being told on social media to consider suicide. Legge, however, feels that her experience as NASCAR’s only female driver makes her a target for even more vitriol.

“I think it’s more prevalent with women in sports, especially in male-dominated sports,” she explained. “We stick out more. There’s this opinion that we’re a gimmick, or that we haven’t earned our spot, that we’re just there as part of diversity efforts.”

Despite the ongoing abuse, Legge has developed a thick skin and refuses to let the hate affect her. She explains, “It’s just noise. I don’t waste my time or energy on it. The people whose opinions matter to me are my family, my friends, my team members, and my supporters—those who have been there and done it.”

Rather than engaging with the trolls, Legge takes a more empathetic approach. “I just feel sorry for them,” she said. “I would never go online to bring someone down to raise myself up, so I just feel sad for those who do.”

While Legge doesn’t believe the death threats are likely to be carried out, NASCAR is taking her safety seriously. The organization has provided a security detail for her upcoming races, and the sport’s head of security has informed law enforcement in her hometown about the threats.

NASCAR’s Commissioner, Steve Phelps, has strongly condemned the abuse, calling it “unacceptable” and emphasizing that the sport stands behind Legge. “This is a woman who has competed very successfully in all forms of motorsports,” Phelps stated. “We want her here in NASCAR, and any hate directed at her has no place in our sport.”

So far this season, Legge has had two races that resulted in DNFs (Did Not Finish), but she remains determined to improve. With 11 more races ahead, including events in the Xfinity and Cup series, she’s focused on growing as a competitor and proving her critics wrong.

“I’m having a great time on these awesome tracks, driving these beasts,” she said, smiling. “I just want to keep improving and see where I can go from here. If I can show that I’m capable, hopefully, the negativity will die down.”

Legge also hopes that her example will help inspire others who are dealing with bullying, especially online. “It’s bullying, plain and simple. And it’s something that we should all be taught isn’t acceptable,” she said.

Despite not setting out to be a role model, Legge feels a sense of responsibility to younger fans who might look up to her. “If just one person sees what I’m going through and decides to ignore the hate, then it’s been worth it,” she said, adding that she wants to act as a beacon of light for those dealing with their own struggles.

For Legge, her journey is about more than racing—it’s about standing up to the toxicity that too often defines online spaces, and showing others that they can rise above it too.

Source: CNN – How NASCAR’s Katherine Legge deals with torrent of social media hate mail and death threats: ‘I just feel sorry for them’

The post Katherine Legge Opens Up About Facing Death Threats in NASCAR appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.