A personal tribute to longtime broadcaster Bob Jenkins

Editor's note: Ken Martin was associate producer, booth stats, and research for ESPN for more than two decades, starting in 1982. He contributed to hundreds of broadcasts of the NASCAR Cup, Xfinity and Camping World Truck series. Since 2008 he has held the role of Director, Historical Content, for NASCAR Productions in Charlotte. How do you measure the impact of one man's life that has touched so many? There are thousands of race fans who were thrilled by his voice. Bob Jenkins was always a welcome friend to everyone who gathered around the radio or television to hear his race call. If Bob were present, it had to be a big event -- the Indy 500 or the USAC Midgets at Terre Haute. Bob always brought his A-game, exciting the fans with his infectious enthusiasm. RELATED: Longtime broadcaster Bob Jenkins dies at 73 Although his heart was always in Indianapolis, he spent nearly two decades calling NASCAR races on ESPN. Bob's voice is eternally etched in the ears with his calls of some of stock-car racing's most historic moments. Alan Kulwicki's championship in 1992 at Atlanta Motor Speedway was a race for the ages, with a call that painted the perfect image of the event. Bob's call of Jeff Gordon's win in the inaugural Brickyard 400 will always ring in the sport's history. Bob partnered with several ESPN broadcasters, including Larry Nuber in his early days with NASCAR. Still, the magical matching of Bob, Ned Jarrett and Benny Parsons will never be forgotten. Bob set a perfect stage for Ned and Benny to perform at their best. Their chemistry was as natural as it sounded to the fans. With a simple nod or look they knew what was wanted to be said. Pure race fans, broadcasting to all in the television audience precisely what needed to be said. [caption id="attachment_321466" align="alignright" width="300"] Bob Jenkins (l) and Ken Martin. | Ken Martin photo collection[/caption] A great deal of the growth NASCAR experienced from 1981-2000 can be directly tied to the broadcasts featuring Bob, Ned and Benny, along with pit reporters Dr. Jerry Punch, John Kernan, and Bill Weber. While Bob loved television, his passion was radio. He loved to listen to music, and his rise to national prominence first came with his beloved Indy 500 radio network. When he was chosen to be the voice of the 500, there was never a prouder day for him. His call of the Goodyear-Unser finish in 1992 will never be erased. Bob rose to the occasion so many times. He was one of the most humble men I ever met. The impact he had on my life was immense. My first broadcast for ESPN came in 1982 at Richmond Raceway. Terry Lingner saw something in me that I did not see myself. He put me in the broadcast booth with Bob and Larry to do their history and stats, and there was immediate chemistry that cannot be explained. I worked with Bob for more than 300 broadcasts and had the thrill of a lifetime. Bob made my research come alive. I would hand Bob an index card, and before I could release it, he was saying it on the air. I loved to write scripts in "Bob's voice." We worked on countless documentaries and features together. Bob gave every project instant credibility with his delivery and professionalism. For more than two decades, Bob was part of Sport of Indiana, then Lingner Group Productions that gave birth to ESPN SpeedWeek, Thursday Night Thunder and so many other memorable motorsports productions. It was a gathering of talent and race fans that changed the course of racing history. Bob deeply loved his wife, Pam. She held his heart like no other, and they spent 44 years together before Pam's passing in 2012. Bob had retired from broadcasting to spend time with Pam, but that time was unfortunately cut short. Bob remained a welcoming voice on the Public Address System at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. One driver described his voice as giving a "welcoming hug to the speedway." The honors bestowed upon Bob were many, including Indiana's highest honor, "Sagamore of the Wabash." He was a member of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame. He earned numerous awards for excellence in broadcasting and radio. No matter the award or accolade, Bob remained humbled and somewhat amazed about his popularity and impact on his listeners. Although his voice is now silenced, it will live on forever in the minds of everyone who had the privilege to hear him call a race. I was most fortunate to call him my friend.