He currently teaches announcing at Anderson University (Indiana).
Announcing career
Jenkins was one of the original cornerstone anchors on ESPN when it debuted in 1979, working there as one of the
most senior members of the network until 2003. From 1979-1998, Jenkins worked on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Radio Network, holding various positions including the backstrech, turn four, and chief announcer from 1990-1998.
Jenkins was the television announcer of the Brickyard 400 (now Allstate 400 at the Brickyard) from 1994-2000, and the
television announcer of the Indianapolis 500 from 1999-2001.
After being released from ABC/ESPN in 2003, Jenkins joined the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in various roles (track
announcer and host of many public relations events, including the Victory Banquet held after the race), had a short
stint as an announcer on the Champ Car World Series before being fired by the production company. He then joined
Speed Channel; he was one of the anchors of Speed News for a year. Jenkins has also been a contributor to WIBC,
Indianapolis sports broadcasts.
In June 2006, Jenkins was released from his contract by Speed Channel. According to Jayski's Silly Season Site, in
early 2006 Jenkins became the communications director for the Premier Racing Association [1].
In July 2006, he was head announcer of the IMS Radio Network for the United States Grand Prix.
For 2007, he will be the announcer of Indy Pro Series broadcasts on ESPN2. In addition, he will be a member of the PA
team during the month of May and will report from Turn 2 of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the IMS Radio
Network's coverage of the 2007 Indianapolis 500, and anchored the IMS coverage of the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard,
his first NASCAR race call since November 2000.
Movie credits
Jenkins also has two movie credits, both from his positions. In order to be realistic, the race announcers in Days of
Thunder were the actual ESPN crew, which meant Jenkins was the announcer, as in real-life, and while at Speed
Channel in 2005, he was the Speed anchor in Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (released August 4, 2006).
His voice was used in the EA Sports NASCAR video game series, from NASCAR 98 to NASCAR 2001.
His most recent work can be heard in the trailer for the independent film Trifocals which is being released in March of
2007.
Jenkins is a cancer survivor and lives in the Indianapolis area with his wife Pam.
Join legendary broadcaster Bob Jenkins on www.racefanradio.com as he gives you "the fastest five minutes in
motorsports" covering all of the latest news from the world of racing. An all-star cast of contributors will keep you up to
speed with stories, sound bytes and more 24/7/365!
Five Minute Reports Run Randomly Throughout the Day...24/7
Plus: Full Thirty Minute Reports Every Thursday Night at 7pm Eastern
All Reports Available "On Demand"
Announcing career
Jenkins was one of the original cornerstone anchors on ESPN when it debuted in 1979, working there as one of the
most senior members of the network until 2003. From 1979-1998, Jenkins worked on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Radio Network, holding various positions including the backstrech, turn four, and chief announcer from 1990-1998.
Jenkins was the television announcer of the Brickyard 400 (now Allstate 400 at the Brickyard) from 1994-2000, and the
television announcer of the Indianapolis 500 from 1999-2001.
After being released from ABC/ESPN in 2003, Jenkins joined the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in various roles (track
announcer and host of many public relations events, including the Victory Banquet held after the race), had a short
stint as an announcer on the Champ Car World Series before being fired by the production company. He then joined
Speed Channel; he was one of the anchors of Speed News for a year. Jenkins has also been a contributor to WIBC,
Indianapolis sports broadcasts.
In June 2006, Jenkins was released from his contract by Speed Channel. According to Jayski's Silly Season Site, in
early 2006 Jenkins became the communications director for the Premier Racing Association [1].
In July 2006, he was head announcer of the IMS Radio Network for the United States Grand Prix.
For 2007, he will be the announcer of Indy Pro Series broadcasts on ESPN2. In addition, he will be a member of the PA
team during the month of May and will report from Turn 2 of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the IMS Radio
Network's coverage of the 2007 Indianapolis 500, and anchored the IMS coverage of the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard,
his first NASCAR race call since November 2000.
Movie credits
Jenkins also has two movie credits, both from his positions. In order to be realistic, the race announcers in Days of
Thunder were the actual ESPN crew, which meant Jenkins was the announcer, as in real-life, and while at Speed
Channel in 2005, he was the Speed anchor in Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (released August 4, 2006).
His voice was used in the EA Sports NASCAR video game series, from NASCAR 98 to NASCAR 2001.
His most recent work can be heard in the trailer for the independent film Trifocals which is being released in March of
2007.
Jenkins is a cancer survivor and lives in the Indianapolis area with his wife Pam.
Join legendary broadcaster Bob Jenkins on www.racefanradio.com as he gives you "the fastest five minutes in
motorsports" covering all of the latest news from the world of racing. An all-star cast of contributors will keep you up to
speed with stories, sound bytes and more 24/7/365!
Five Minute Reports Run Randomly Throughout the Day...24/7
Plus: Full Thirty Minute Reports Every Thursday Night at 7pm Eastern
All Reports Available "On Demand"
 |  |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |  |
Adults $20
Kids 12 & under $5
Pits $30
Kids 12 & under $5
Pits $30
| Races start at 7 PM |
| Bob Jenkins (born September 4, 1947 in Liberty, Indiana) is a television and radio sports announcer best known for his work at ABC and ESPN calling NASCAR and IndyCar telecasts. |
| Henry "The Pit Bull Rife" |
Rumble Series Promoter Tony Barhorst and Henry "The Pit Bull
Rife announced in an interview before Friday's Rumble In Ft.
Wayne that Rife will make a jump at the USAC Indiana Midget Week
date on Thursday August 7, 2008 at Union County Speedway near
Liberty, Indiana. Asked what he may jump.. Rife told Patrick
Sullivan, "it has not been determined yet, however I could jump a
fleet of ambulances"
Here is an account of Henry's appearance on the David Letterman
show last fall.
'Pitbull' Rife sticks 'Letterman' jump
Rife announced in an interview before Friday's Rumble In Ft.
Wayne that Rife will make a jump at the USAC Indiana Midget Week
date on Thursday August 7, 2008 at Union County Speedway near
Liberty, Indiana. Asked what he may jump.. Rife told Patrick
Sullivan, "it has not been determined yet, however I could jump a
fleet of ambulances"
Here is an account of Henry's appearance on the David Letterman
show last fall.
'Pitbull' Rife sticks 'Letterman' jump
He could hardly have made it much more exciting if he had planned it. After grazing a taxicab and damaging the rear
end of one of his two ATVs, Van Wert's Henry "The Pitbull" Rife took the other ATV, named for Howard Stern, and stuck
the remaining practice jumps and the official jump on camera over six taxicabs seven hours later for a triumphant
appearance tonight on "The Late Show with David Letterman." Plans for the jump changed a bit after Rife and friend
Russ Belt arrived at the jump site on Broadway, between 51st and 8th streets and outside the Ed Sullivan Theatre
where "Letterman" is filmed. For one thing, instead of the 150 feet they originally planned to use as a jump approach,
they found themselves with just 60 feet - a fifth of the space Rife normally has to make similar-size jumps. That was
increased to a little more than 100 feet after Rife damaged "Bubba," his favorite ATV. In addition, "Letterman"
cameramen cut the number of taxis to be jumped down to six - although Rife still jumped the length of seven taxicabs. "It
was incredibly dramatic," Belt said of the final jump. As a side benefit, Rife got a hug from actor-comedian Jamie Foxx,
shook hands with actor Jimmy Smits and got a wave from Paris Hilton outside the theater. One thing he didn't get to do
was meet Letterman himself, who spoke to Rife on camera prior to the final jump. "He was very funny on camera with
Letterman," Belt said of Rife. Security in the area was also very tight, Belt noted - another complication to making the
jump -- largely because the Iranian ambassador was staying nearby. The result of the day's jumping will be seen tonight
on "Late Night with David Letterman. The show begins at 11:30 p.m., but Belt said he didn't know for sure when Rife's
segment will air during the show.
end of one of his two ATVs, Van Wert's Henry "The Pitbull" Rife took the other ATV, named for Howard Stern, and stuck
the remaining practice jumps and the official jump on camera over six taxicabs seven hours later for a triumphant
appearance tonight on "The Late Show with David Letterman." Plans for the jump changed a bit after Rife and friend
Russ Belt arrived at the jump site on Broadway, between 51st and 8th streets and outside the Ed Sullivan Theatre
where "Letterman" is filmed. For one thing, instead of the 150 feet they originally planned to use as a jump approach,
they found themselves with just 60 feet - a fifth of the space Rife normally has to make similar-size jumps. That was
increased to a little more than 100 feet after Rife damaged "Bubba," his favorite ATV. In addition, "Letterman"
cameramen cut the number of taxis to be jumped down to six - although Rife still jumped the length of seven taxicabs. "It
was incredibly dramatic," Belt said of the final jump. As a side benefit, Rife got a hug from actor-comedian Jamie Foxx,
shook hands with actor Jimmy Smits and got a wave from Paris Hilton outside the theater. One thing he didn't get to do
was meet Letterman himself, who spoke to Rife on camera prior to the final jump. "He was very funny on camera with
Letterman," Belt said of Rife. Security in the area was also very tight, Belt noted - another complication to making the
jump -- largely because the Iranian ambassador was staying nearby. The result of the day's jumping will be seen tonight
on "Late Night with David Letterman. The show begins at 11:30 p.m., but Belt said he didn't know for sure when Rife's
segment will air during the show.