23XI, FRM trial: Bob Jenkins reveals shocking 'repair' bill from NASCAR for non-wrecked Next Gen cars

Front Row Motorsports team owner Bob Jenkins was on the stand on Wednesday, and while testifying, he revealed a shocking Next Gen car fact. It appears that even when NASCAR Next Gen cars don’t get into a wreck or suffer damage, teams still have to send the nose and tail of the cars for “repair.” It costs money, too.

23XI Racing and Front Row are arguing that NASCAR uses illegal business practices to maintain its monopoly on the sport of premier stock car racing. Part of their contention with NASCAR is with the Next Gen car. Specifically, the intellectual property rights NASCAR has to the car and the single-source parts.

Jeff Gluck of The Athletic reported on Bob Jenkins’ testimony on Wednesday. A few things were revealed about how much Jenkins loses with FRM each year, how he has never made a profit, and more.

The most eye-opening line was about the Next Gen car. Jenkins explained how much he spent on parts prior to the car and how much he spends now. Prior to the Next Gen, it was $1.8 million a year on parts. Now, Jenkins spends $4.7 million a year on parts.

On top of that, the cars have to be “repaired” even when they aren’t wrecked. Does Front Row repair the cars? No. Instead, the head and tail of each car have to be sent back to the vendor. The single-source supplier then “repairs” the parts and sends them back for $30,000. Teams are not allowed to repair these parts themselves.

Front Row Motorsports owner Bob Jenkins is testifying now. He has revealed some numbers:

— Front Row loses $6.8 million per year
— He has never made a profit, nor has he even taken a salary from FRM
— He had nine unsponsored races this year where he ran his own companies on the…

— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) December 3, 2025

Bob Jenkins was on the stand for quite some time. During his testimony, Jenkins reportedly came off as sympathetic. Gluck also reports that NASCAR’s attorney was perhaps too aggressive with the fast-food entrepreneur. Juries make note of things like that throughout a trial.

Bob Jenkins loses money on NASCAR every year

Front Row Motorsports has been around for several years in NASCAR. They are one of the original charter teams and were around prior to that as well. FRM had owned three charters until earlier this year, when it had its charter status revoked as part of this lawsuit.

Over the years, Front Row has bought, sold, and leased charters. They have been one of the busiest transactors in the charter market. Bob Jenkins, for all he has done in the sport, has never turned a profit as a race team. He doesn’t even pay himself a salary from the organization.

Jenkins has come down off the stand at this point. The trial has moved on with further questioning of NASCAR president, Steve O’Donnell. O’Donnell will continue his testimony after the court’s lunch break this afternoon.