Sports broadcaster Bob Jenkins died August 9, 2021 as a result of cancer in Indianapolis, Indiana at the age of 73.
A survivor in 1983 from colon cancer, Jenkins revealed in February that the cancer had returned, this time in his brain; adding that he was undergoing treatment with chemotherapy and radiation treatments. The diagnosis of two malignant tumours came after a severe headache in December 2020.
NASCAR spoke on Jenkins saying, “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.”
An Indiana native, Jenkins played many roles during his years covering the Indy 500 form in the TV and radio booth to turn reporter, analyst, and as the track’s public address announcer.
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Jenkins is a member of the Indianapolis Motorsports Hall of Fame.
Speaking on Jenkins, Indy Racing legend Mario Andretti said, “he was one of us in every way.”
A long time race fan, prior to being a part of the broadcast crew for the Indianapolis 500, Jenkins was present for many of the races…rarely missing since a race since 1960.
He was best known for his broadcasts of the Indianapolis 500 races; as well as, NASCAR events for ABC and ESPN. He also worked for the Versus Network (now NBCSports) prior to his retirement in 2012.
Like some of the NASCAR drivers, Jenkins lent his talents to the NASCAR-centric films “Days of Thunder” as the Daytona track announcer and as himself in “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby”. He also appeared in the film “Kart Racer”.
He was born September 4, 1947 in the rural Indiana town of Richmond.
Jenkins is predeceased by his wife Pam who also died as a result of brain cancer in 2012. Noting that he has a small family, he is survived by his niece and nephew.
feature photo credit: Youtube