NASCAR News: Denny Hamlin reveals heartwarming role 'special' Joe Gibbs played after family tragedy

NASCAR star Denny Hamlin heads into the new campaign having had a tragic offseason.

After a fire at his parents' home in December, Denny's father, Dennis, tragically passed away as a result of his injuries, while his mother, Mary Lou, also suffered. Thankfully, she is now recovering and continuing to get better with time.

Losing a father is incredibly painful, and Denny has openly spoken publicly in the past about his relationship with his Dad, and how important he was in his racing career, even dedicating his 60th Cup Series victory at Las Vegas to him back in October.

At that point, Denny knew what time he had left with Dennis was limited due to the fact that he was fighting a terminal illness, but he couldn't possibly have foreseen the tragedy that was to come.

Denny Hamlin: Joe Gibbs is very special to me

Michael Jordan, Hamlin's 23XI co-owner, also had a very close relationship with his father, James, before his death in 1993, which he has also spoken about publicly on many occasions.

With that in mind, Hamlin was quizzed on whether or not he had spoken to Jordan about loss during this offseason. It turns out he hasn't, but cited Joe Gibbs as the man he turned to.

“No," Hamlin answered. "He [MJ] obviously reached out multiple times and offered any help he could. Since we were in Winston-Salem, he knew a lot of people in that area.

"Not really, we didn’t talk about that kind of stuff, more so with Joe (Gibbs). Joe is certainly someone who is very, very, special to me and has been."

Hamlin continued, explaining that Gibbs had actually arrived at the hospital before him after his parents' house fire.

"Joe beat me to the hospital the night of," he added. "He’s just unbelievable how he is as a leader, and obviously he has been through it.

"My connection on that personal level is more so with Joe, and it’s always been that way since he took over as my at-track Dad.”

Joe Gibbs prayed regularly with Dennis

Gibbs had also played a role for the Hamlin family before Dennis' death and during his illness, Denny explained.

"He [Gibbs] made it a point to go, if not every week, every other week to visit him for the bulk of last year," he said.

"Talked stories with him, prayed with him. My Dad was really trying to get right with the Lord last year and felt like Joe was someone who kind of helped with that.

"It’s not like my parents lived right down the street, he took his time out of his day to go visit him and share stories. I know my dad really, really appreciated that.”