Michigan International Speedway marked the end of an era as Rick Allen called his final Cup Series race for NBC Sports this season. Now, a new commentator will take over the booth for the rest of the season.
According to a press release from NBC Universal, veteran commentator Leigh Diffey will take over the Cup booth starting with the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway. He will remain in this role through the championship race at Phoenix on Nov. 10.
Diffey is no stranger to the NBC Sports booth. He has called countless motorsports events for the Peacock while serving as the lead NTT IndyCar Series commentator for more than a decade. Diffey has also called events in Formula One, IMSA, Supercross, and MotoGP.
Diffey most recently served as the lead track & field play-by-play commentator at the Paris Olympics for NBC Sports.
Of course, NASCAR's national series are not foreign to Diffey. He has called numerous races across Xfinity and Cup during his career. This includes sensational battles between Kyle Busch and Matt Kenseth, as well as a wild overtime finish at Michigan International Speedway.
Kyle Larson SPLIT THE MIDDLE.
Remembering his epic three-wide move to three-peat at Michigan in 2017. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/WtH6AczyPv
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) August 16, 2024
With Diffey taking over the Cup Series booth, Allen will now scale back his responsibilities. He will continue to serve as the lead commentator for the Xfinity Series booth, a role he has held throughout the season.
Allen has led the NBC Sports Xfinity and Cup booth since 2015, the first season the Connecticut-based broadcaster took over coverage of the two series. He has continued to call races with Dale Earnhardt Jr. -- who did not return this season -- Jeff Burton, and Steve Letarte.
Before taking on the current role, Allen served as the lead play-by-play commentator for the Craftsman Truck Series for more than a decade. He was in the booth as drivers such as James Buescher, Matt Crafton, Austin Dillon, and Todd Bodine won races and championships.
While CW will take over coverage of the Xfinity Series on Sept. 20 at Bristol, Allen will continue to remain involved through the end of the season. He will lead the booth as part of an agreement between the two broadcasters.