Bob Jenkins

Bob Jenkins
Name	Robert "Bob" Jenkins
Caption	Jenkins at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Birth date	1948-01-20
Birth place	Bloomington, Indiana
Death date	2021-08-05
Death place	Bloomington, Indiana
Nationality	American
Occupation	Racing driver, broadcaster, entrepreneur
Years active	1970s–2019
Known for	Motorsports broadcasting, IndyCar competition, engine development

Bob Jenkins

Robert "Bob" Jenkins (January 20, 1948 – August 5, 2021) was an American race car driver, motorsport broadcaster, and entrepreneur known for his work in IndyCar Series, Indianapolis 500 coverage, and vintage racing preservation. He combined hands-on competition with media roles at outlets including ESPN, ABC Sports, and NBC Sports, and contributed to engine development and automotive parts businesses linked to SCCA, IMSA, and United States Auto Club circles.

Early life and education

Born in Bloomington, Indiana, Jenkins grew up in a Midwestern environment shaped by proximity to Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the regional automotive industry. He attended local schools in Monroe County, Indiana and developed mechanical skills inspired by nearby institutions such as Indiana University Bloomington and regional racing workshops. As a young adult he apprenticed at automotive shops that serviced NASCAR and USAC competitors, acquiring hands-on experience with V8 engine tuning and chassis setup that would inform both his driving and later entrepreneurial pursuits.

Racing career

Jenkins began competitive motorsport in club events sanctioned by the Sports Car Club of America and progressed to professional open-wheel and sports car racing. He competed in USAC sprint and midget events before racing in CART and IndyCar circuits, including starts associated with the Indianapolis 500 program during the 1970s and 1980s. Jenkins also contested endurance events that aligned with IMSA competitions and participated in historic racing at venues like Road America and Laguna Seca. His on-track roles included driver development work, engine tuning collaborations with teams connected to Cosworth and other engine builders, and instructing in driver schools related to Skip Barber Racing School and club-run programs.

Broadcasting and media career

Transitioning from cockpit to commentary, Jenkins joined broadcast teams for major networks including ESPN, ABC Sports, and later NBC Sports, where he provided play-by-play and technical analysis for CART/IndyCar Series coverage and Indianapolis 500 telecasts. He worked alongside noted motorsport journalists and commentators connected to MotorTrend, RACER Magazine, and syndicated radio programs distributed through regional affiliates. Jenkins produced documentary segments on historic races and technical retrospectives that referenced figures such as A. J. Foyt, Mario Andretti, Al Unser, and entities like the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. His media work extended to podcasting and guest commentary for programs linked to Vintage Motorsport and archival initiatives at motorsport museums.

Business ventures and entrepreneurship

Jenkins founded and co-owned businesses in automotive parts distribution and racing services, collaborating with suppliers and manufacturers tied to the automotive aftermarket and performance sectors. His companies provided engine components, chassis fabrication, and restoration services for collectors of IndyCar and Formula One-era machinery, liaising with restoration specialists who service collections featuring cars related to Lotus, McLaren, and Penske Racing histories. He consulted on projects involving historic engine rebuilds, parts reproduction for vintage Cosworth DFV and Offenhauser engines, and supported events organized by groups such as the Hershey Antique Automotive Club and vintage festivals at tracks like Sebring International Raceway.

Personal life

Jenkins lived in Bloomington, Indiana and maintained ties to regional motorsport communities across the Midwest United States. He engaged with institutions such as Children’s Hospital of Indiana and local chapters of national organizations through charity events often held in conjunction with vintage racing and automotive shows. Friends and colleagues included drivers, crew chiefs, and broadcasters associated with USAC, CART, IMSA, and track officials from venues like Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Daytona International Speedway.

Honors and legacy

Jenkins’s contributions were recognized by motorsport circles, historic racing organizations, and broadcaster communities; tributes referenced his roles in popularizing IndyCar coverage for television audiences and preserving vintage racing heritage. Posthumous acknowledgments came from entities such as the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, motorsport publications like RACER Magazine and Road & Track, and vintage racing groups that cited his work in restoration and media. His legacy persists in archived broadcasts, restored competition cars associated with his businesses, and the mentorship he provided to a generation of drivers and commentators connected to American open-wheel racing and historic motorsport preservation.

Category:American racing drivers Category:American motorsport broadcasters Category:1948 births Category:2021 deaths