Our eyes and ears go hand in hand to enjoy a race to the fullest. And while your Android screen might make up for the first, the second needs a live human voice to guide us. NASCAR races are never complete without a stentorian, captivating voice updating you about the activities on the racetrack. And at the recently unfolded Coke Zero Sugar 400, we had a different guest taking over this job – and he did not disappoint.

Leigh Diffey, an IndyCar and Olympics announcer, made his way to Daytona International Speedway this weekend. Despite the racetrack’s wildcard reputation, Diffey did a fantastic job. He covered the last-lap melee perfectly and captured the fans’ hearts.

Leigh Diffey’s reputation speaks for him

Being a successful commentator requires a sharp presence of mind, especially in NASCAR races, where things can go haywire in seconds. We saw that unfolding at the Richmond race, where Austin Dillon took out two strong contenders, all within one minute, and grabbed the checkered flag. At Daytona as well, Kyle Busch looked like the winner until Harrison Burton overtook him suddenly. And Leigh Diffey, atop the ivory tower, reported the happenings spectacularly, drawing praise from fans.

Initially, there were doubts about Leigh Diffey replacing longtime announcer Rick Allen. Allen would move down to Xfinity since he joined NBC as the Cup Series’ lead commentator in 2015. However, Diffey holds a glittering resume. Starting out on Australian TV, he moved to the US in the 2000s and covered motorsports on the Speed Channel. Then, in 2013, NBC roped in Diffey to cover IndyCar and F1. He has called the past six Indy 500 races, including an iconic call of Josef Newgarden’s last-lap pass to win in 2024.

Leigh Diffey has also covered the Olympics – the 2020 Tokyo event as well as the 2024 Paris Olympics. In an interview with The Athletic, Diffey explained his thrill of finally covering NASCAR. “I’ve been so fortunate to live and work all around the world and been to so many different tracks around the world, and of course, here in North America. But still at this stage of my career to experience something new to me, that’s really exciting.” The Daytona race was not his first stint though – in 2017, Diffey covered two Cup races.

And Leigh Diffey’s comeback to NASCAR’s racing circuits has hyped up fans.

Diffey’s voice enthralls the NASCAR community

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Anybody can be charmed by that refreshingly soothing Australian accent. Leigh Diffey calmly, yet steadily, steered us through the Coke Zero events, accelerating emotions when the Big Ones occurred. And of course, delivering an electrifying call as Harrison Burton won the race. So fans were left dazzled: “Absolutely electric call. Hope they keep him for years to come.” Another fan even went to the extent of ditching Rick Allen and going all out in support of Diffey. They gave a plea to NASCAR as well: “Fantastic. Brings an energy unmatched by anyone currently. The greatest decision by NBC this season.”

Some people brought up Leigh Diffey’s versatile experience that shows in his work. Ranging from covering Australian NASCAR to the high-octane open-wheel races of F1, he has a tremendous resume. So one fan said, “He would go from covering 24 Hours of Daytona to an early season IndyCar race to a Supercross event the next weekend and you’d think he’d covered Supercross his entire life. I would say the guy just put the work in to be prepared.” One NASCAR+IndyCar fan lamented about the fact that Diffey would be leaving his favorite arena. “Love him calling NASCAR, miss him calling Indycar.” Another fan concurred: “Don’t take IndyCar from him! Can’t do without the Diff!” 

Evidently, the NASCAR audience is delighted to have Leigh Diffey lend his electric voice to races. We are already certain he would be taking the playoff races up a notch with his commentary.