Fans often associate nostalgia with the commentators’ voices for high-paced action like motorsports. Remember when fans were distraught right after Leigh Diffey left IndyCar and moved on to NASCAR and the Olympics? Harping on a similar sentiment, Fox Sports is searching for a commentator who can become part of the IndyCar broadcast team in 2025.

One name that has made it to the rounds for Fox Sports is the popular F1 broadcaster, Will Buxton. From March, Fox Sports will be airing each of the 17 races for IndyCar and it is the only motorsport series in the entire US to be aired for free. Yet, they need a voice to lead them from the front, quite literally!

Can Will Buxton instill the same emotions that Diffey did? 

Leigh Diffey was the previous play-by-play announcer for Roger Penske-owned IndyCar races on NBC. He made a start during the 2024 Cup Series alongside Steve Letarte and Jeff Burton at the Daytona International Speedway. Diffey had been one commentator who had become almost synonymous with the IndyCar series. Moreover, his move to NASCAR for NBC had raised the excitement amongst fans. He replaced Rick Allen on the podium, who worked with NASCAR Xfinity Series coverage for the rest of the season. 

Despite being the “foreign voice,” Diffey had a prolific name for himself. The fans simply loved his Aussie tone. Only recently, Diffey confirmed his entry into the NASCAR 2025 season. His X post read, “Yes mate … later in the season when @NBCSports takes over the Cup coverage for the final 14 races”.

With nearly a decade of experience at NBC Sports, Diffey has been a consistent voice for INDYCAR coverage. This also includes all the six broadcasts of the iconic Indianapolis 500.

Fox Sports has been on a similar venture to find someone who can fill in the booth for IndyCar and a recurrent name making rounds is Will Buxton. Buxton previously worked with Speed Channel, a Fox-owned network, before joining NBC Sports in 2013 as a pit reporter for its Formula 1 coverage. In 2018, when ESPN took over the U.S. broadcasting rights for F1, he transitioned to working directly with Formula 1. 

His popularity soared higher when he made it to the Netflix series Drive to Survive for all six seasons. Not only that, Buxton has some fans who love his authorship skills, his most popular one being My Greatest Defeat: Stories of Hardship and Hope from Motor Racing’s Finest Heroes. However, given the popularity he has already built in F1, this move gives no confirmation yet. Buxton’s agent Benjamin Gorman has, however, declined the authenticity of the comment. He revealed they were still working to stitch Buxton’s 2025 plans together. 

Will Buxton’s popularity in Formula 1 is undeniable, thanks to his engaging presence on and off the screen. However, whether he can replicate Team Penske’s owner’s talented Leigh Diffey remains uncertain; given the distinct nature and demands of the two motorsports.

Fox is keeping its options open

There is no doubt the IndyCar 2025 season will be a big deal, given the widespread TV coverage it will receive for all 17 races. However, to keep up with the engagement and take on the role of Leigh Diffey, it is important to find someone equally capable. Two other names made the calling cards while William Buxton had been on the rounds – former IndyCar drivers, James Hinchcliffe and Townsend Bell. 

Both drivers have been part of the NBC booth and have been discussing collaborating with Fox over the past few months. However, they have not released an official statement to date. The popularity and understanding these drivers have about IndyCar is widespread and could add to the audience’s experience. Hinchcliffe does have some prior experience working part-time with F1 TV. The pursuit for a fresh voice has been so rigorous for Fox that even parent company Penske had to meddle. 

Speaking of how they have helped Fox with probable clients, Mark Miles, the CEO of Penske Entertainment said, “I will say in terms of the booth, they’re committed and I think (Fox Sports CEO Eric Shanks) said this the day they made the announcement — this is not going to be a NASCAR broadcast. This is going to be an IndyCar broadcast. And so we’ll have our own personality and character and that’s top of mind for all of us”.

Well, it does seem like now is the only time they can answer all the curiosity that IndyCar fans have!