INDIANAPOLIS — Bob Jenkins, a longtime Indianapolis 500 announcer who has been around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for more than 40 years, will reduce his role at the track this year he was diagnosed with brain cancer.
Jenkins began working on the IMS Radio Network in 1979, and he was the "Voice of the 500" from 1990-98, while also working in television. Most recently, he has been an announcer during the race on the IMS public address system.
Jenkins said he was diagnosed just after Christmas during an interview in the latest episode of "Behind the Bricks" with IMS President Doug Boles. He said this is not his first battle with cancer.
"But I had colon cancer in 1983, and I survived that, and with God's help and my beloved race fans, I'm going to make it," Jenkins said.
Jenkins said he plans to be at the track in May, but he will not serve in his official role as he undergoes radiation and chemotherapy.
