Television Controversy
On Sunday May 18, the final day of time trials, when there was some question of whether the field would be filled to the traditional 33 cars, television reporters Bob Jenkins and Jack Arute passionately defended the event from its detractors on air. Afterwards, Jenkins received criticism, mostly for a lack of journalistic professionalism and objectivity. His statements were considered biased in favor of the IRL/IMS, and that he allowed his personal opinions enter his reporting.
During ABC coverage of time trials, Vitor Meira filled the field to 33 cars. Jack Arute opened his interview with Meira at 5:17 p.m. EDT by stating:
| “ | And to all the naysayers who predicted that there would NOT be 33 cars in the field of this year's Indy 500, allow me to introduce you to Vitor Meira. | ” |
A minute later, Jenkins replied with:
| “ | The naysayers have been proven wrong, there is a 33-car field set for the 500. | ” |
As the day was coming to a close, the television coverage switched to ESPN for the final hour. Jenkins closed the broadcast with the following commentary at 6:56 p.m. EDT:
| “ | I want to again say how disappointed I am in some of the journalists in this city and in other cities who have questioned the 33-car starting lineup this year. I think they forgot one thing. And this is really what they've been trying to put down all this time. This is the Indianapolis 500. It was 50 years ago, it is today, and it will be next year and in years to come. | ” |
A minute later, Arute followed:
| “ | I want to echo what Bob Jenkins said. From the beginning of the month of May here at Indianapolis, misguided people have said that this race wasn't going to have a field of 33. Hello! Not only are the field of 33 full but it's also going to be the most competitive Indy 500 in most recent memory. I want to go back to the thoughts of one Jim Mora (local NFL coach) who once said to misguided media, ya think ya know, but ya just don't know. | ” |
Jenkins was released from ABC/ESPN at the end of the 2003 season although returned in 2008 for a final one-off before joining Versus, which later became NBC Sports, in 2009 until his retirement in 2012. It was never announced if the on-air comments were a factor in his release, and Jenkins contends he was never informed if that was the case. Furthermore, during the Split, it should further be noted that he was hired by the new owners of the former CART to call races for them under the contract signed with MTV's Spike in 2004, but that ended quickly.
Read more about this topic: 2003 Indianapolis 500
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