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The NASCAR media landscape is full of different personalities, commentators, and analysts. Some of these are former drivers, crew chiefs, and owners. Here is a comprehensive list of those names that make NASCAR media all the more interesting.
The Fox play-by-play room is full of NASCAR legends and current leaders. Mike Joy was once the new face of NASCAR play-by-play. Now, Joy is NASCAR’s veteran play-by-play broadcaster. Prior to his time at Fox, which began in 2001, Joy worked for CBS and MRN. Adam Alexander is Fox’s number two play-by-play broadcaster, covering the Xfinity and Truck Series. Alexander has a resume that would stack up well next to almost any other media personality in NASCAR. Jamie Little is Fox’s workhorse. Little finds herself in the booth for ARCA and the Truck Series and on pit road for the Xfinity Series and Truck Series. Whether you are at the track or at home, it’s hard to miss Little as she is seemingly always working for Fox NASCAR.
Fox’s color commentary team used to be its strongest suit. However, since the departure of Darrell Waltrip and the downsizing of Larry McReynold’s role, the job has been in a period of change. Currently, former drivers Clint Bowyer and Kevin Harvick join Mike Joy throughout Fox’s portion of the season. The two began to find a stride as the season went on.
Fox also has several personalities you will see throughout a race weekend doing various jobs. For example, Josh Sims is a pit reporter for NASCAR but works on several Fox Sports entities. Larry McReynolds is either at the track or at the studio throughout the race, giving crew chief analysis and opinions, while Chris Myers hosts the pre-race show. Dylan “Mamba” Smith and Kaitlyn Vincie co-host Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour, with Kevin Harvick, along with their work with other NASCAR-related projects.
Fox has a long list of former drivers and crew chiefs who have turned into media personnel, doing multiple jobs, such as analysis, color commentary, and co-hosting. These former competitors, when combined, have years of experience in NASCAR, championships, and Daytona 500s. This lineup of former competitors is considered by many to be one of Fox’s strong suits.
NASCAR on NBC recently made its first change to its Cup Series play-by-play responsibilities since regaining NASCAR coverage in 2015. Long-time play-by-play voice Rick Allen stepped down to the Xfinity Series booth to make way for the former voice of IndyCar on NBC, Leigh Diffey.
Diffey is known for his excitement and eagerness to see the product on track. Since joining the booth at the 2024 Coke Zero Sugar 400, fans have also recognized Diffey’s care for detail and research every race weekend. Rick Allen is known for his booming voice, of which is tied to many recent moments in NASCAR history.
*Allen calls the Xfinity Series on the CW, though he is still under NBC contract. The same goes for Jeff Burton and Steve Letarte.
The color analyst team at NBC includes Daytona 500-winning crew chief Steve Letarte and 21 NASCAR Cup Series race winner Jeff Burton. The two have great chemistry and personalities. Letarte also co-hosts NASCAR Inside The Playoffs on TruTV, though he maintains his main affiliation with NBC.
The personalities and pit reporters used by NBC are fan favorites. Highlights of this list include NBA legend Brad Daugherty, long-time NASCAR reporter Dave Burns, and all-around NASCAR personality Kim Coon. Coon also hosts Around The Track on YouTube, alongside other responsibilities.
NBC’s driver analysts, Dale Jarrett, Jimmie Johnson, and Kyle Petty, are another strong suit of the NASCAR on NBC crew. Jarrett is a former NASCAR Champion and three-time Daytona 500 winner. Kyle Petty is the son of NASCAR legend Richard Petty. The newest member of the NBC driver analyst crew is seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. shocked the world when he jumped from the NBC booth to the TNT and Amazon Prime booth in 2025. Earnhardt is taking one season off to prepare for Color Commentary for NASCAR’s newest partners. However, Jr. is not hard to find; he still hosts the Dale Jr. Download weekly.
Shannon Spake has been involved in NASCAR media and broadcasts for a long time. She has hosted shows for both NASCAR on Fox and ESPN, alongside some pre-race, pit road, and post-race work. Following the cancellation of NASCAR Race Hub, Fox let Spake go. However, she recovered with ease. She now co-hosts NASCAR Inside The Playoffs on TruTV and NASCAR Daily on YouTube. Spake also is the sideline reporter for the Charlotte Hornets for Bally Sports.
This article will be updated when and if networks change personalities.
