A legend in the racing game has passed away. Indianapolis Motor Speedway confirmed an Indianapolis Star report that Bob Jenkins, 73, died on Monday. Jenkins was the longtime voice of the Indianapolis 500 and anchored ESPN’s NASCAR coverage for nearly 20 years.
Jenkins announced in February that he was battling his second stint of cancer after previously fending off the disease in 1983. He was a Jack of all trades at IMS, helping carry out their radio and television broadcasts.
“Bob Jenkins, over the years, he was just a figure that was always there and very much front and center in Indianapolis,” racing legend Mario Andretti told the Indianapolis Star. “His voice is just absolutely unique. I would always know who was talking. He was just one of those that developed his career alongside ours, you know. He was one of us in every way.”
Jenkins was a constant fixture at the Indy 500 starting in 1960. He joined the IMS Radio Network in 1979 and aided in ESPN’s earliest coverage of NASCAR, IMSA, IndyCar, USAC, and other racing series.
“Bob Jenkins lent his iconic voice to so many memorable NASCAR moments, telling the story of our sport to millions of fans for years,” NASCAR said in an official statement. “Though known for his immense talent as a broadcaster, Bob’s passion for motorsports truly defined what it meant to be a racer. The motorsports industry lost a broadcasting legend and a friend with Bob’s passing. NASCAR extends its deepest condolences to Bob’s friends and family.”
Jenkins began covering motorsports for ESPN in 1981. Paired with Larry Nuber to start his time with ESPN, Jenkins later cemented an iconic three-man booth with NASCAR Hall of Famers Ned Jarrett and Benny Parsons.
“He certainly was very good at leading Benny and I where we needed to go and always making us look good,” Jarrett said in 2012. “That’s something I’ve always appreciated.”