NBC Shakes Up NASCAR Broadcast Team, Dale Earnhardt Jr. to Join Amazon

Dale Earnhardt Jr. exits NBC, leading to Leigh Diffey's controversial appointment as lead announcer amid community backlash.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is leaving NBC for Amazon Prime Video and Warner Bros. Discovery's broadcasts in 2025, taking a break from commentary in 2024.
NBC is replacing Rick Allen with Leigh Diffey as the lead announcer for Cup Series races after the Olympic break, starting possibly at the Michigan race on August 18 or Daytona on August 24.
The NASCAR community has expressed dissatisfaction with the replacement of Dale Earnhardt Jr. by a non-American announcer, Leigh Diffey, citing concerns over his accent and broadcasting style.
Leigh Diffey, an Australian-American, has a diverse background in motorsports commentary, having called races across NASCAR, IndyCar, MotoGP, Supercross, IMSA, and rallycross.
NBC's NASCAR broadcast lineup changes come amid a major $7.7 billion media rights deal, with NBC airing only 14 races starting next season, down from 20 currently.