It’s no doubt that NASCAR presenters and announcers often grow a following of their own. Take former NASCAR racer, Dale Earnhardt Jr, for example, who has made quite a name for himself in the presenting space since his time at NBC. NBC recently decided to give up this job role to Rick Allen, but it looks like they have had a change of heart.

So far, there have been many rumors stating that Leigh Diffey will take over as the lead play-by-play announcer for NASCAR Cup Series coverage. Ever since Dale Jr. announced that he would be leaving the position, Rick Allen took over to handle the role. In a recent update, the rumors have started to turn into reality as NBC gets ready for the big announcement.

Leigh Diffey to become the lead play-by-play announcer for the Cup Series

Before taking the throne, the lead play-by-play announcer for NASCAR spent the week covering the Paris Olympics. Leigh Diffey decides where he would want to be as he heads back to Daytona Beach to take on his new role. The first race that he will be covering is the upcoming Coke Zero Sugar 400, the penultimate race before the playoffs.

Rick Allen, whom Diffey replaced, will continue to cover the Xfinity Series for NBC and CW as Kevin Lee will take to IndyCar till the end of the season. In an interview with the Athletic, Diffey revealed how ‘excited’ he is about taking on the new role at NBC, as he couldn’t stop mentioning the word several times.

Reflecting on a previous interview with the Brisbane native, the interviewer from The Athletic asked Diffey about how in 2021 they discussed NBC giving him the role of its lead play-by-play announcer for track and field. After mentioning how announcers often get “pigeonholed,” they mentioned that he has broken out of the stereotype.

Coming to the main question, they asked him, “How does it feel to be able to overcome this perception and earn recognition beyond motorsports?” In response to the question, Diffey mentioned, “I think anytime that you are challenged to do something different, it helps you grow. It helps you grow as a person. It helps you grow as a broadcaster.”

Leigh Diffey spoke about how the new roles challenge him to think differently while still keeping him in his “lane” when it comes to racing. NBC has played a huge role in this, as he explained further on. So, how working with them has helped him grow as a journalist?

NBC’s role in Leigh Diffey’s growth as a journalist

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“I’m very, very grateful that NBC has given me these opportunities,” said Diffey, before stating that while working with the company for 12 years, they assigned him many tasks and roles. Teaching him to adapt to new challenges has helped him grow as he shared his journey from being a motorsport commentator to being a broadcaster and explained how working in each position helped him improve at the other.

“I like the crossover,” said the new play-to-play announcer for NBC, as he believes in bringing his experience of motorsport to the track and field. The team at NBC has also been extremely helpful to him, as he tells The Athletic about how there is more of a crossover between both disciplines. With that, Diffey prepares for the upcoming weekend as NASCAR fans will hear a fresh voice from their screens as the Coke Zero Sugar 400 fires up the second last points race of the season.

Who is your favorite NASCAR Cup Series announcer so far? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section.