Bob Jenkins passes away at age 73

From the Indianapolis Motor Speedway:

Veteran radio and television broadcaster Bob Jenkins, a former “Voice of the 500” inducted into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame in 2019, died Aug. 9 at age 73 after a valiant fight with cancer.

The voice of the Liberty, Indiana, native was heard globally over five decades on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network, serving several positions, including chief announcer from 1990 through 1998. Jenkins was one of only four people to serve as television play-by-play announcer in ABC’s 54-year history of broadcasting the Indianapolis 500.

Today is a sad day for auto racing. Bob Jenkins is a motorsports institution, and he will be missed immeasurably. It’s fitting that Bob’s passing precedes NASCAR and IndyCar holding a companion event at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, as his voice is an enduring symbol of all three.

Thank you for everything, Bob. Godspeed.