For more than 40 years, Henderson Motorsports carried the steady hand of Charlie Henderson in NASCAR. The veteran’s passion kept the small Virginia-based team alive in NASCAR’s toughest arenas. Whether it was a part-time Truck Series schedule or flashes of underdog brilliance at superspeedways, his presence anchored every move the No. 75 made. But when Henderson passed away in June, the future of the team suddenly hung in the balance. As the garage paid tribute to his influence, attention quietly shifted to who would step forward next.

That uncertainty was heightened when the team momentarily paused competition after Henderson’s death, leaving its momentum in question. Earlier this season, Parker Kligerman had piloted the No. 75 to the front at Daytona, crossing the line first before a failed inspection erased what could have been a career-defining win for both driver and team. But the run proved Henderson Motorsports could still contend against the sport’s giants. But now, without its longtime owner steering the ship, who would ensure that opportunities like these did not fade away?

New leadership at Henderson Motorsports

Weeks after Henderson’s passing, the team confirmed that Charlie’s children, Don (Donnie) Henderson and Debbie Henderson-Creasy (Deb), had stepped into leadership roles. Each has carved out a different space to keep the team functioning. Don focuses on the competitive side of operations, as he said, “I travel with the team, I go to the races, and I try to help as much as I can.” His presence on the road reflects a determination to keep Henderson Motorsports active in the Truck Series garage, even in a limited capacity.

Debbie, meanwhile, has stepped into a role that ensures the team’s survival behind the scenes. From securing race credentials to handling travel, she oversees the often unseen tasks that make race weekends possible. She admitted the transition has been emotionally difficult.

“The first race at Bristol without him, I wore his jacket. It was really hard. He had always been there.” Her commitment reflects not only a sense of duty but also a direct continuation of her father’s legacy. And just as Don works trackside, her off-track management keeps the team’s foundation intact.

Both siblings emphasize that the changes are about more than keeping NASCAR operations running. They are about honoring the values instilled by their father. Deb has said, “My dad never quit … he never threw in the towel … we hope we make him proud.”

Carrying that ethos forward, Henderson Motorsports has placed Charlie’s name above the driver’s window of the No. 75 Chevrolet. This serves as a constant reminder of his influence. For a team long admired as underdogs in the sport, the symbolic tribute underscores that Charlie’s presence remains felt in every start.

But keeping this family-run outfit afloat will take more than symbolism, especially as they now face the twin pressures of finances and on-track performance.

Henderson holds steady at Bristol

Bristol Motor Speedway rarely gives anyone an easy night, and Friday’s Truck Series race was no exception. Henderson Motorsports came in looking to keep momentum alive, knowing the half-mile bullring can turn small mistakes into major setbacks. With Parker Kligerman back in the No. 75 Chevrolet, the goal was simple. Survive the chaos and bring home a solid finish.

Kligerman started deep in the field but steadily worked his way through traffic as cautions and tight racing shuffled the order. By the final stage, he had carved out a spot just outside the top ten. When the checkered flag fell, the team settled for a 14th-place result. It was not the breakthrough they might have hoped for, but it was the kind of clean, steady night that keeps a smaller team in the fight week after week.

After the race, Kligerman credited the crew for the adjustments that helped keep the truck competitive. “We did the best we could with what we had,” he said, noting that Bristol’s rhythm is about avoiding trouble as much as it is about raw speed. For Henderson Motorsports, keeping the truck intact and banking another finish counted as a quiet win of its own.

Now attention shifts to the NASCAR races ahead, where the challenge will be turning steady nights like Bristol into consistent top-ten runs. With Don and Deb Henderson continuing to steer the operation, the focus remains on building piece by piece. The Bristol finish showed resilience. But the next step will be proving the No. 75 can muscle its way back into the conversation at the front of the field.