Bob Jenkins, the 40-year veteran of broadcasting at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, has passed away after losing his fight with cancer.
Jenkins’ voice was well known to viewers of IndyCar races and other US-based motorsports events in the past generation, with his knowledgeable insight and professional presentation always at the forefront.
He frequently served as the public address announcer at IMS, in addition to his positions on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network and on television broadcasts with ABC.
Jenkins was one of only four broadcasters to have served as the play-by-play announcer for the Indy 500 in the entire time ABC covered the illustrious event.
For more than 20 years, he was also the lead voice of NASCAR races for ESPN, including the first seven Brickyard 400s at IMS.
His partnership with Ned Jarrett and Benny Parsons was one of the most popular television presenting groups in motorsports.
Jenkins retired from his presenting duties in 2012 to take care of his ailing wife, who later passed away from cancer.
He was inducted into the IMS hall of fame in 2019, taking a rightful spot along other legends of the sport.
The broadcaster returned to IMS last May amid his own fight with cancer, and received the Robin Miller Award. He took the time to make an acceptance speech that relayed his fond thoughts of his long career in motorsports.
Jenkins passed away on Tuesday, at the age of 73.
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