For the closing stretch of the 2025 season, the NASCAR Cup Series is returning to the NBC family. This means Australian commentator Leigh Diffey, who debuted on the circuit last year, will return to the call.
Diffey performed well in his rookie campaign, drawing rave reviews for a series of standout calls. “Jeff, your little boy has done it,” he said when Harrison Burton won his first race with his father, Jeff, looking on.
The Australian commentator also rose to prominence on his Olympics coverage for NBC last summer: Diffey was in the booth for American Noah Lyles’s dramatic victory in the 100m.
Diffey inadvertently thought Jamaican sprinter Kishana Thompson took the incredibly close race. “Who wants it the most?” he started on the call. “This is close. … Jamaica’s gonna do it! Kishane Thompson is a gold medalist!”
Diffey and co-commentator Ato Bolden then correctly noted that the race is going to a photo review. Eventually, Lyles was awarded the win with a time of 9.784 seconds (Thompson finished close behind at 9.789 seconds). “It’s Noah Lyles! And it had to go to a photo finish to decide it!” he declared once the decision was codified.
The Australian commentator apologized for confusing any American viewers in a follow-up post on Instagram after the race. “The men’s 100 was epic & closest of all time! My eyes & instinct told me Kishane Thompson won,” Diffey wrote.
“Obviously, that wasn’t the case. I shouldn’t have been so bold to call it, but I genuinely thought he won. I got it wrong.”
Diffey started his career calling a variety of motorsports in Australia before calling IndyCar races in the United States. He usurped longtime Cup Series commentator Rick Allen, who moved to the Xfinity Series, for the gig.
In his first year, he called Joey Logano’s third career and second consecutive NASCAR Cup Series win. Logano remains in contention for the crown once again in 2025.
DON’T MISS:
Denny Hamlin reacts to NASCAR announcement after not getting his wish
Danica Patrick questions why she ever left Europe to return to United States
Jade Avedisian makes big NASCAR career announcement after Dale Jr. endorsement
Diffey’s first race will be Sunday’s Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol at the Iowa Speedway. Last week, 23XI Racing driver Bubba Wallace captured his first win in 100 starts to earn a spot in the playoffs.