For Mark Jaynes, a childhood pastime of commentating imaginary Indianapolis 500 races into a cassette player has remarkably paved the way to his real-life dream. Decades later, Jaynes has officially been named the chief announcer for the Advance Auto Parts INDYCAR Radio Network. This prestigious role will see him broadcasting every race of the Verizon IndyCar Series, including the highly anticipated 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 in 2016, among a total of 16 events.
Stepping into a lineage of broadcasting legends, Jaynes becomes only the sixth “Voice of the 500” for the radio network, which is celebrating its 65th year on air. He succeeds iconic voices such as Sid Collins, Paul Page, Lou Palmer, Bob Jenkins, and Mike King, inheriting a rich legacy of motorsports broadcasting.
Paul Page’s planned departure after the 2015 Verizon IndyCar Series season, marking his second tenure as chief announcer (1977-1987 and 2014-2015), initiated the search for his successor. Robby Greene, president of IMS Productions, the organization overseeing the radio network, and Wally Leavitt, the network’s general manager, conducted an extensive search, ultimately finding the ideal candidate close to home. Jaynes, a veteran radio network reporter since 1996, has covered turns and pit lanes and recently served as the lead announcer for Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires broadcasts.
“I mentioned to Robby and Wally that they had the incredible opportunity to make someone’s dream a reality, and they’ve certainly done just that,” said Jaynes, 52, who fondly recalls listening to Indy 500 broadcasts in his Monrovia, Indiana, backyard. His career in radio began right after high school, fueling his lifelong passion. “Words can hardly express what this appointment truly means to me.”
Wally Leavitt emphasizes the crucial role of the radio network as “the eyes for the listener,” with the chief announcer acting as “the conductor of the orchestra.” As the search narrowed, Jaynes’s extensive experience and qualifications made him the clear frontrunner.
“Mark has dedicated 20 years to this network, bringing immense enthusiasm to every broadcast,” Leavitt stated. “As the senior member, he possesses an intimate knowledge of the product and a profound passion for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, INDYCAR, and Indy Lights. He is unequivocally the perfect choice for this position.”
Jaynes deeply respects the heritage established by his predecessors, starting with Sid Collins, whose distinctive voice anchored the radio network from 1952 to 1976. Having worked alongside the three most recent chief announcers – Jenkins, King, and Page – Jaynes absorbed invaluable lessons, particularly regarding the unique aura and mystique of the Indianapolis 500.
“My paramount objective is to ensure the event remains the central focus, not myself,” Jaynes explained. “I believe all former chief announcers have excelled at this, and I intend to continue that tradition. My aim is to emulate their passion and enthusiasm for the race, the venue, and the fans.”
“There’s no doubt that those who came before me have set an incredibly high standard, and I feel the pressure to meet those expectations. However, having had the privilege of working closely with three of them, I believe I am well-prepared for this challenge.”
Jaynes will be accompanied by familiar and respected voices within the network. Paul Page will make a special return for the 100th Indianapolis 500 to announce the race start and symbolically pass the baton to Jaynes. Davey Hamilton, an 11-time Indy 500 participant, will serve as the driver analyst throughout the season. Long-time radio network team members Jake Query, Nick Yeoman, Michael Young, Dave Furst, Katie Hargitt, and Rob Howden will contribute from the turns and pit lane at most events.
“I can’t imagine a better group of individuals to embark on this journey with, and I truly believe our team is second to none,” Jaynes concluded.
All Verizon IndyCar Series races will be broadcast on the Advance Auto Parts INDYCAR Radio Network, accessible through stations nationwide, Sirius/XM satellite radio, the Verizon INDYCAR app, and IndyCar.com. Qualifying sessions will be available on Sirius/XM, the Verizon INDYCAR app, and IndyCar.com. Practice sessions can be accessed via the Verizon INDYCAR app and IndyCar.com.
