From the “good things happen to good people” file comes news out today that Mark Jaynes has been named the new chief announcer for the Advance Auto Parts INDYCAR Radio Network.
Jaynes is only the sixth “Voice of the 500" for the radio network as it enters its 65th season on air. He follows in the audio tracks of Sid Collins, Paul Page, Lou Palmer, Bob Jenkins and Mike King.
The full release of Jaynes’ appointment can be found here, via IndyCar.com, and a video with him is above.
There’s few people in the paddock who have a better reputation than Jaynes, a 20-year INDYCAR Radio Network veteran, and there’s already been a good number of complimentary tweets welcoming Jaynes to his new role.
Page, meanwhile, will sign on - and off - for the final time at this year’s 100th running of the Indianapolis 500. He’s expected to call the start of the race, then hand over the mic to Jaynes in a ceremonial passing of the torch.
Davey Hamilton, an 11-time Indy 500 starter, returns all season as the driver analyst, while turn announcers and pit reporters will include radio network veterans Jake Query, Nick Yeoman, Michael Young, Dave Furst, Katie Hargitt and Rob Howden.
Jaynes - for whatever reason unbeknownst to me - was kind enough to invite me into the booth on a couple prior occasions during his time as Indy Lights chief announcer. It’s welcome to know I didn’t drag down the coverage during that 2014 practice at Mid-Ohio or a practice last year at Milwaukee.