Mike Joy, the lead NASCAR play-by-play announcer for Fox Sports, has confirmed his intention to return to the booth next year as the network enters a new media rights cycle for the sport. Joy has been the voice of Fox’s NASCAR coverage since it first began in 2001. However, as Fox Sports prepares for changes in its coverage for the new seven-year media cycle through 2031, questions have arisen about the future of the network’s NASCAR talent.
Joy’s contract with Fox is reportedly up after this year, and it is unclear whether he has signed an extension. Despite this, Joy’s wishes are likely to carry weight with Fox executives given his long tenure and prominence in the sport. When asked about his status for 2025, Joy expressed his excitement for the upcoming year.
Fox Sports has not yet announced its booth lineup for 2025 and declined to comment on contract negotiations. Joy is currently part of a three-man booth with former drivers Kevin Harvick and Clint Bowyer. Harvick recently began a multi-year deal with Fox Sports and is confirmed to return next year, while Bowyer’s status with the network beyond this season remains uncertain.
Joy recently called his 45th Daytona 500 in February and has been covering NASCAR since 1977. Starting next year, NASCAR will have five media partners, a significant increase from the two partners under the current rights deal. Fox and NBC renewed their contracts for fewer races, while The CW, Prime Video, and Warner Bros. Discovery will join the new media cycle.
The new media deals are projected to generate $7.7 billion in revenue for NASCAR, a 40% increase from the previous cycle. Fox’s final Cup Series race for the 2024 season will take place this weekend at Sonoma Raceway in California, after which NBC Sports will take over by airing the inaugural Cup race at Iowa Speedway.