Tricon Garage crew chief Jeff Hensley is expected to make a full recovery after being hospitalized with a life-threatening medical issue.
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According to a post on social media from Hensley's wife, Lynn, he had sepsis. Tricon Garage had previously confirmed that he would miss the race at Phoenix Raceway due to an illness but did not provide further details.
"Last week, Jeff called the race at Charlotte," Lynn Hensley wrote on Instagram. "This week he fought for his life with sepsis in the hospital.
"We praise God this morning that Jeff is still with us. He is expected to make a full recovery. Thank you to all who have called, texted, visited, and most of all PRAYED!! We have felt the prayers.
"A special thank you to our (Tricon Garage) for all of the love and support. Jeff may be a few laps down right now, but he will make it to the finish line."
According to the Mayo Clinic, Sepsis "is a serious condition in which the body responds improperly to an infection. The infection-fighting processes overreact and cause inflammation throughout the body. As a result, the organs stop working as well as they're supposed to."
Back in May, two-time Cup Series champion Kyle Busch passed away at the age of 41 after severe pneumonia progressed into sepsis.
Hensley, a Virginia native, will pull through after facing this life-threatening condition. He should be able to make a full recovery and get back to his life and loved ones.
A crew chief since the late 1980s, Hensley has achieved success in the national series while working with multiple drivers. He celebrated 11 wins in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series — 10 with Chuck Bown and one with Larry Pollard. He also won the 1990 championship with Bown.
Hensley has celebrated 22 wins in the Craftsman Truck Series, including five in 2007 with Mike Skinner. He has led multiple drivers to runner-up finishes in the championship standings, most recently with Grant Enfinger in 2023.
The veteran crew chief has spent the last three seasons working with Tricon Garage. He guided Taylor Gray during the 2024 season before joining forces with Tanner Gray in 2025 and 2026.
