Surveillance footage could lead to clues in theft of Denny Hamlin’s car from driveway

Police release security film of Hamlin car theft

CORNELIUS, N.C. — Police have released surveillance footage from a security camera at Denny Hamlin’s home in hopes it will lend clues about the theft of a luxury car from the NASCAR star’s driveway.

The 2008 Lexus LS was reported stolen Aug. 18. Footage shows a car pull up to the gate at Hamlin’s suburban Charlotte home, and two men walk down his driveway. As the Lexus is pulled through the gate, a female can be seen walking around the waiting car and climbing into the driver seat.

Both cars then pull away.

A police report lists the car value at $50,000 and shows it is owned by Toyota Motorsales.

Hamlin said Saturday he feels “a little bit” violated by the theft.

“I mean, everyone feels violated when their house is broken into,” Hamlin said during practice for Sunday’s Pep Boys 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. “I hadn’t had anything stolen up to that point, but they’ll get them.”

Hamlin said he is confident the car will be found because it is so easy to identify.

“There are only so many places you can hide,” he said. “It’s not like someone stole an Accord or a Camry or something like that. I mean, there’s not a lot of use for joy riding in this car.”

Hamlin said he did not have any valuable personal items in the car because he recently had the car in a body shop. He wouldn’t say why the car had needed repair work.