NASCAR: NBC set for broadcast booth change at Daytona?

As a long-time NASCAR fan who has followed every twist and turn of this high-octane sport since my dad took me to my first race back in the early ’90s, I can’t help but feel a mix of excitement and nostalgia as I witness these changes unfolding in the broadcast booth. The departure of Dale Earnhardt Jr., who brought a unique perspective to the table, was a significant shift, but the trio of Rick Allen, Jeff Burton, and Steve Letarte has been a reliable team for years.

The announcement that Dale Earnhardt Jr. wouldn’t return for what would have been his seventh season in the NBC Sports broadcast booth during the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series on NBC, marked just the start of changes in their coverage this year.

In 2024, the left lead announcer Rick Allen, along with color commentators Jeff Burton and Steve Letarte, will continue their teamwork in the booth. This marks the final year of NASCAR’s current 10-year media rights contract. They have been a trio since the deal began in 2015, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. joined them from 2018 to 2023.

It’s noteworthy that regardless of whether the races are aired on the main NBC or the USA Network (which is part of NBCUniversal), the commentary team remains consistent in the broadcast booth.

During NBC’s programming schedule, USA Network took over as the secondary channel following the closure of NBC Sports Network at the end of 2021.

As a longtime NASCAR enthusiast, I’ve always looked forward to the thrilling races that air on NBC and USA Network. This year, I’m particularly excited about the 20-race schedule that kicked off in mid-June at Iowa Speedway. With 10 races each on NBC and USA Network, it’s a great opportunity for fans like me to catch all the action. Over the years, I’ve attended numerous races, both in person and through my TV, and I can confidently say that there’s nothing quite like the adrenaline rush of watching these high-speed competitions. So, buckle up and get ready for a wild ride as we follow our favorite drivers through the 2023 NASCAR season!

Following the three-week hiatus for NBC’s broadcast of the Summer Olympics in Paris, France, it was disclosed later on that a significant shift was coming up in the commentary booth.

In a shift of roles, Leigh Diffey, who currently leads commentary for IndyCar and IMSA events, will step into the position as the primary announcer for Cup Series races. This transition was initially mooted before it was revealed that IndyCar would move from NBC to Fox starting next year.

NBC booth set to change for Daytona NASCAR Cup Series race

Since Diffey had been handling Olympics coverage, it was unlikely that he would switch to covering NASCAR when it resumed at Richmond Raceway two weeks back. The assumption was that he would take over from Allen at either Michigan International Speedway the previous weekend or Daytona International Speedway this weekend.

Last weekend, Allen stayed put, and now it’s Diffey’s turn to step in, commencing this Saturday evening’s Coke Zero Sugar 400. This event unfolds at the four-turn, 2.5-mile (4.023-kilometer) Daytona Beach, Florida oval with high banks. Live coverage of the race can be found on NBC.

After this upcoming weekend, only one more race remains in the 26-race regular season: the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, which takes place next Sunday. This event will air live on USA Network.

The playoffs consisting of ten races, divided into four rounds, will kick off with all four initial rounds broadcasted on USA Network. Subsequently, the final six races will be shown consecutively on NBC.

As your friendly gaming buddy Allen here, I’m thrilled to share that I’ll be holding down the fort as the main commentator for Xfinity Series races, even with the series gearing up for an early transition to its full-time slot on the CW Network in 2025. This big move is scheduled to happen before the season finale at Bristol Motor Speedway, which revs up on Friday, September 20.

As a devoted racing enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that every race of the three-round, seven-race Xfinity Series playoffs will be broadcast live on the CW Network! Although NBC Sports will continue to produce these races with their dedicated crew and commentators, it’s exciting to know we can catch all the action on the CW. Buckle up, fellow fans, let’s gear up for an unforgettable racing season!

Listen to NBC this coming Saturday, August 24 at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time, for the live telecast of the Coke Zero Sugar 400 from Daytona International Speedway. Chris Buescher, who currently races for RFK Racing, was the previous year’s winner. Sign up for a free FuboTV trial now to catch all the excitement unfold!

2024-08-24 15:32