As the race at Daytona International Speedway reached the final lap of the extended overtime, something more than the cars reached the checkered flag with the same intensity. For the fans at the venue, it was just the cars. But for those enjoying the race on the NBC Sports network, it was the voice of the legendary broadcaster Leigh Diffey. The iconic voice that matched Harrison Burton‘s monumental charge left a striking impression in the hearts and minds of the fans.

Contrary to popular opinion, Leigh Diffey is not a stranger to stock car racing. He replaced Rick Allen as the lead play-by-play commentator for NBC’s NASCAR coverage of the Cup Series. During the 2024 season, fans heard him both at critical junctures and controversial points during the race. Be it during Austin Dillon’s wrecking at Richmond Raceway or Corey LaJoie’s lethal flip at Michigan International Raceway. However, according to Diffey, Harrison Burton’s recent Daytona triumph is one for comparison with other motorsports greats.

Leigh Diffey draws an interesting parallel

This year, the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway was shrouded with multiple cautions. The usual Cup Series veterans were stuck or stunned by wrecks, flips, or accidents. Kyle Busch and Harrison Burton are the only two racers consistent in the race throughout. With little to separate them and the race extended to overtime, Burton made a decisive move. He timed it to perfection, in the last lap of the race, leaving no time for Busch to react. The move helped Burton win his first-ever NASCAR Cup Series race.

Leigh Diffey had a different take on Burton’s Daytona victory. Talking about his broadcasting experiences with Carla Metts Gebhart at Dale Jr’s Dirty Mo Media, the 53-year-old looks back to the iconic moments he has called across various sports. Diffey said, “It’s just really lovely to be part of some magical moments and as time goes on and you get older, you get to experience more of that.” The magical moments that Diffey talks about are a common sight throughout his career as an accomplished broadcaster.

Talking about the experiences he had covering V8 in his home country Australia, Burton said, “In Australia, where I was born and grew up, I got to call some unreal moments in V8 supercar history.” Leigh Diffey called for some of the iconic moments in V8 history. This includes the 2001 Bathurst for 1000. Diffey was one of the commentators covering the iconic event in which Mark Skaife and Tony Longhurst emerged victorious. Diffey also famously called the 2002 Clipsal 500, 2003 Sandown 500, and other important events in Australian Motorsports.

However, it was during his time in Formula 1 that Diffey’s voice reached the zenith of its glory. Highlighting the iconic first win of F1 stars, Diffey further said, “I’ve been in the States for 22 years and called some really special times. I called Kimi Raikkonnean’s first F1 win, Max Verstappen’s first F1 win.” Leigh Diffey was the lead F1 commentator of NBC Sports from 2013 to 2017. He called Kimi Räikkönen‘s first F1 win during the 2003 Malaysian Grand Prix. Max Verstappen‘s first F1 win came in at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix when he was just 18 years old.

Further, he compared all the memorable moments he had witnessed throughout his career with Harrison Burton’s first Cup Series win in Daytona. Diffey further added, “Some really special moments at true Rolex 24. And then you know I begin, even though I’ve done it before I say now I began my NASCAR tenure and to call Harrison Burton’s first win and 100th for the Wood brothers at Daytona with you know playoffs looming. Those moments are really special to reflect on and I feel fortunate there at that venue and to have seen something special unfold.”

While Harrison Burton’s win at the Daytona International Speedway was indeed a special one. It also marks the return of Wood Brothers Racing in Cup Series playoffs after a 5-year-break. A look at their previous playoff run can give perspective to Harrison Burton’s chances with Wood Brothers Racing this year.

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The Wood Brothers Racing‘s previous stint in the playoffs was when Ryan Blaney drove the no.21 for the team in the 2017 season. With a win at the Pocono Raceway, Blaney qualified for the 2017 Cup Series playoffs. The Cup Series playoff featured several experienced campaigners and veterans. Racers like Martin Truex Jr., Kyle Busch, Brad Keselowski, Jimmie Johnson, Denny Hamlin, and Kevin Harvick were competing against each other for the highest prize in the sport.

Ryan Blaney managed to cruise through the Round of 16 and 12 comfortably. The playoffs reached the critical juncture of the round of 8. The performances in this round would determine which 4 racers would qualify for the Championship 4 race at Homestead-Miami. Ryan Blaney’s Round of 8 races didn’t go as well as the team might have anticipated. He finished 8th at the Martinsville Raceway, 6th in Texas and crushed down to 17th in Phoenix Raceway. Pressure from other experienced drivers proved to be too much for Blaney. With 2305 points, Ryan Blaney finished 9th in the Cup Series in 2017. Few would’ve known back then that he would sign for Team Penske next season. The then-no. 21 would eventually win the Championship in 2023!

Do you think Harrison Burton can have an even greater run with Wood Brothers Racing this year? What are your thoughts on Leigh Diffey’s emphatic career as a commentator? Do tell us in the comments down below.