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Longtime race announcer Bob Jenkins, a former Indianapolis 500 spokesperson whose career spanned more than five decades on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway radio network, died Monday at the age of 73, announced Indianapolis Motor Speedway in a statement.
Jenkins revealed in February that he had been diagnosed with brain cancer and planned to cut back on speedway work while undergoing radiation and chemotherapy treatment.
Jenkins, who survived colon cancer in the 1980s, retired from broadcasting at the end of the 2012 IndyCar season to care for his wife, Pam, who had been diagnosed with brain cancer. He briefly returned to the TV booth in 2013 after his death and had recently worked as one of the main advertisers of the highway’s public address.
Jenkins joined IMS Radio Network in 1979 and quickly rose to popularity with his booming baritone voice and laid back style.
“I grew up being a fan of all races, but especially the Indy 500. As a child and young adult, to follow the sport I had to read newspaper articles and racing magazines. And then came Bob Jenkins, ”said J. Douglas. Boles, President of Indianapolis Motor Speedway. His familiar voice from IMS Radio Network came to the familiar TV screen in shows such as ‘SpeedWeek’ and the racing shows, and he led the transformation in the way racing fans enjoyed the sport. , which has fueled incredible growth in auto racing.
“But through all of the successes, Bob never changed from what he really cared about – a racing fan. His humility and ability to always remain a fan – even when he was the best racing commentator. in sports – is why racing fans around the world loved to watch or listen to a race called by Bob Jenkins. He was one of us! “
Jenkins also called IndyCar, NASCAR and Formula 1 racing for other networks including ABC, ESPN, NBC Sports Network and its predecessor Versus. He was a central figure in ESPN’s racing coverage, anchoring “NASCAR on ESPN” from 1979 to 2000.
“Bob was immensely instrumental in establishing the credibility of ESPN in our early days, and he led our motorsport coverage with class, professionalism and enthusiasm for many years,” said Norby Williamson, executive vice president of ‘ESPN, event and studio production, and executive. editor.
Jenkins has also appeared in “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby” and provided the voice for several video games, including the popular “NASCAR” from EA Sports.
But he was perhaps best known around Indianapolis as the radio voice of the 500 from 1990 to 1998, a tenure that included his call for Al Unser Jr.’s first victory in 1992 when he barely beat Scott Goodyear. .
“The checkered flag is out, Goodyear takes a step, Little Al wins by a few tenths of a second – perhaps the closest finish in Indianapolis 500 history,” Jenkins said.
The margin of victory – 0.043 seconds – remains the closest finish in 104 years of racing history.
“For a whole generation, the sound of Bob’s voice just meant it was time to go racing,” said Roger Penske, owner of Indianapolis Motor Speedway. “This legendary voice became the soundtrack of the month for May at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Bob’s kindness, professionalism and unique ability to bring us all closer to the track with his stories and ideas will be missed.”
Jenkins grew up in rural Indiana and competed in his first Indianapolis 500 in 1960. Since then he said he only missed two races – 1961, when he couldn’t find anyone for the take him, and 1965, when he was on a senior trip. .
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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