Photo Credit: IndyCar/IMS
After serving on the staff of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network both as a pit reporter and as a turn announcer for coverage of both the Indianapolis 500 and the Brickyard 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races, Indianapolis-based radio and television sports announcer Mark Jaynes will join a unique and very exclusive club, one of which that for a quarter century featured only one personality. That group is for those who have attained one of the most coveted jobs in electronic media race coverage, whether on radio or television, being named “The Radio Voice of the Indianapolis 500.”
The IMS Radio Network (now officially known as the Advance Auto Parts IndyCar Radio Network), dates back to 1952, however coverage of the race was carried for several years previously on the Mutual Network, until increased rates forced the local Indianapolis station WIBC-AM to go in-house for broadcasting the 1951 race. After the successful broadcast, WIBC and the Speedway elected to remain locally based with churning out the race broadcast to the rest of the United States, which until 1986 was the only way to catch the race live, until ABC carried its first live flag-to-flag television broadcast of the race. Despite the advent of television, radio remains a major source used to follow the race, and in the Indianapolis market is the only way to still follow the race live, as the race on live television is locally blacked out to encourage more local based race fans to attend the race in person.
The legendary Sid Collins was the first radio voice of the Indianapolis 500 from 1952 through 1976. Collins helped lay the groundwork for how the broadcast of the Indy 500 and many other races are done on radio. The invitation of non-racing related guests and dignitaries for interviews during the event in non-busy action sections of the race was thought of by Collins and proved successful in creating an entertainment value to the broadcast from start to finish, especially in the events of the prior to the 1980s where the race leader sometimes maintained a large lead on the field, sometimes exceeding a full lap, at certain points of the 200-lap race.
Following Collins’ death in early 1977, Paul Page took over the leadership of the IMS radio broadcasts through 1987. Included during his tenure was AJ Foyt’s record-setting fourth victory and Gordon Johncock’s dramatic win in 1982 over Rick Mears. Page also returned to the role for the past two years, as well as for all other Verizon IndyCar Series events until Jaynes took over at this year’s season opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.
When Page turned his attention to leading the television broadcasts for ABC starting in 1988, veteran pit reporter Lou Palmer assumed the main role for IMS Radio for two years, highlighted by the dramatic 1989 battle for the win between Emerson Fittipaldi and Al Unser, Jr., which ended in contact in turn three that led to Little Al’s crash out of the event on the 199th lap.
Bob Jenkins became the fourth Voice of the Indy 500 in 1990, a role he held till 1999, when Mike King took over the duties. King would serve the second-longest tenure as the Voice of the 500, holding the role through 2013, when afterwards Page returned to the IMS radio booth.
The promotion of Jaynes to the top honor is just the latest in a set of top sports broadcasters from the Indianapolis-area that have ascended to the position.
“I’ve had the honor of working with three of the previous chief announcers: Paul Page, Bob Jenkins and Mike King.” explained Jaynes in his weekly column at IndyCar.com. “All had the unenviable task of following a legend. While each was at the helm, (they) made pretty significant changes to the scope and structure but continued to put the event front and center, along with the enjoyment of the listener.”
If one goes by that view, it is clear that Mark Jaynes is more than prepared to handle both the duties and privileges of being the Radio Voice of the Indy 500, much as the five before him did so successfully.
Stay tuned for more news, updates, and analysis from OnPitRoad.com on the Road to the 100th Indianapolis 500.
