Report: Leigh Diffey to join NBC NASCAR booth starting at Daytona, leave IndyCar

Earlier this season news came out that Leigh Diffey would take over play-by-play duties for NASCAR on NBC, now we know when. This move will mean that Diffey won’t return to the IndyCar booth for the rest of the season.

According to Nathan Brown of the IndyStar, Diffey’s debut will be at Daytona. A memo was sent out to NBC Sports staffers about the change.

There are a lot of critics of Leigh Diffey, but a lot of fans as well. One thing you cna’t deny, he brings energy to a broadcast. When he is describing a race, he is trying to make every pass, move, and side draft feel exciting and consequential.

Without Dale Earnhardt Jr. with NBC, this season feels strange. However, having Diffey on the play-by-play will be fun.

Leigh Diffey will be teamed up with Jeff Burton and Steve Letarte in the booth. Rick Allen will take a step back and focus on the Xfinity Series.

Now, you are probably getting a lot of Diffey lately. That is, if you tune into the Olympics. He is the voice of international Track & Field for NBC as well. Racing, on two feet or four wheels, is what Diffey is passionate about.

The NASCAR media landscape is changing. Amazon and TNT are joining the party next season. Networks are trying to figure out what the coverage for 2025 will look like. Leigh Diffey being added to the Cup Series booth will likely be a sign of things to come.

No Dale Jr., throw in Leigh Diffey

The one thing that Dale Jr. brought to the broadcast, energy. He brought knowledge and personal information to the races as well, but his biggest asset was being the excited one in the booth.

Yelling about slide jobs, wrecks off screen, and more, Earnhardt earned a reputation for being personable. Like the world’s most educated fan speaking to the feelings of the NASCAR world as the races happen.

While the NBC coverage has largely been good, pre and post-race coverage, good camera angles, information, and more – energy is missing. You do not get the same pops and excited explainers that you did with Dale Jr.

With Leigh Diffey joining the booth, the energy level will be high. Starting at Daytona, I think we are going to hear Diffey lose his mind before the end of the race.