Veteran NASCAR crew chief Jeff Hensley is recovering from a life-threatening illness he suffered after last month’s Craftsman Truck Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Hensley, the crew chief for Tanner Gray, was hospitalized with sepsis days after the October 9 Charlotte event, according to a GoFundMe fundraiser.
Jacob Hampton stepped into the crew chief’s position for the season’s final four races.
Lynn Hensley said in a November 2 Facebook post that her husband was transferred to a rehabilitation facility after 16 days in the hospital. She said the sepsis took an “incredible toll” on his 63-year-old body, and he would remain at the facility for the foreseeable future.
Two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch died May 21 after his pneumonia progressed into sepsis. He was 41 years old.
Hensley has been a NASCAR crew chief since 1987, beginning in what is now known as the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. He remained in that series through 2001. Hensley moved over to the Truck Series in 2004. Across the two series, he has 33 victories and 375 top-10s.
Grant Enfinger (left) and Jeff Hensley.
Hensley was Grant Enfinger’s crew chief for 122 races, winning nine of them. They also came close to claiming the 2004 Truck Series championship. It’s Enfinger’s wife, Michelle, who established the fundraiser. She wrote in the fundraiser that Hensley’s illness led to an “extended” hospital stay and “unexpected challenges.”
“While Jeff continues to make progress, he still has important steps ahead in his recovery as he works to regain his strength and get back to doing what he loves,” Michelle Enfinger wrote in the fundraiser.
“My husband has had the privilege of working alongside Jeff for many years, and over that time, we’ve been blessed to develop a close friendship with both Jeff and (wife) Lynn. We’ve seen firsthand the dedication, generosity, and heart they bring to the people around them. Now, during one of the most difficult seasons of their lives, we want to help give some of that love and support back.”
Within a week of the fundraiser’s launch, more than $10,000 was raised with the goal being $20,000. All of the money raised goes directly to the Hensleys to help with the financial burden they are facing.
A North Carolina native, Deb Williams is an award-winning motorsports journalist who is in her fourth decade covering auto racing. In addition to covering the sport for United Press International, she has written motorsports articles for several newspapers, magazines and websites including espnW.com, USA Today, and The Charlotte Observer. Her awards include the American Motorsports Media Award of Excellence, two-time National Motorsports Press Association writer of the year, and two-time recipient of the Russ Catlin award. She also has won an award in the North Carolina Press Association’s sports feature category. During her career, Deb has been managing editor of GT Motorsports magazine and was with Winston Cup Scene and NASCAR Winston Cup Scene for 18 years, serving as the publication’s editor for 10 years. In 2024 she was inducted into the NMPA Hall of Fame.
English (US) ·