Jenkins leads ESPN2’s coverage of Indy Pro Series

Veteran motorsports broadcaster Bob Jenkins will return to the ESPN family in 2007 to call the play-by-play of ESPN2's coverage of the Indy Pro Series, which will air live on indycar.com and on a tape-delayed basis on the all-sports network. Robbie Buhl and Mike King will complete the broadcast team for the 16 races.

Jenkins, one of the first announcers hired by the network when it debuted in 1979, anchored ESPN's and ABC's coverage of the NASCAR Nextel Cup from 1981-2000 as well as working on the IndyCar Series broadcast team for several years. He also worked for the IMS Radio Network, anchoring the Indianapolis 500 broadcast from 1990-99.

"All signs point to the most competitive season yet for the Indy Pro Series, with new teams, an impressive list of drivers and some new venues," Jenkins said. "Having been away from the play-by-play role for a few years, I'm excited about making a return to ESPN and working with Robbie and Mike."

Buhl will return for his fourth season providing analysis after retiring from driving in the IndyCar Series in April 2004 after 78 starts that included two victories and 30 top-10 finishes. He remains a co-owner of Dreyer & Reinbold Racing and is the national spokesman for Racing For Kids.

King, the radio voice of the IndyCar Series, joins the broadcast team as pit reporter. King and Jenkins are two of only five men who have been the "Radio Voice of the 500."

ESPN2 has been the exclusive home of the Indy Pro Series since the series debuted in 2002. In 2007, the Freedom 100 from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Carb Day (May 25) will be aired on the same day while the remaining telecasts will typically air on the Thursday or Friday following the race.

ESPN2 telecasts more than 4,800 hours of live and/or original programming to more than 91 million homes each year. The race telecasts will also air around the globe on various ESPN affiliates.

The complete 2007 television schedule is below:

Race Date(s) Telecast Date & Time (ET) Race Venue
March 24 March 28 at 5 p.m. Homestead-Miami
March 31/April 1 April 6 at 4:30 p.m. St. Petersburg, Fla.
May 25 May 25 at 4 p.m. Indianapolis (oval)
June 2 June 8 at 6 p.m. Milwaukee
June 16 & 17 June 21 at 5 p.m. Indianapolis (road course)
June 23 June 29 at 5 p.m. Iowa
July 7 & 8 July 12 at 5 p.m. Watkins Glen
July 14 July 19 at 5 p.m. Nashville
July 22 July 26 at 5 p.m. Mid-Ohio
Aug. 11 Aug. 16 at 5 p.m. Kentucky
Aug. 25 & 26 Aug. 30 at 5 p.m. Infineon
Sept. 9 Sept. 13 at 5 p.m. Chicagoland