Fox Sports has been covering the NASCAR Cup Series since 2001, and their coverage will conclude this year with the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway. Mike Joy has been the play-by-play announcer for Fox Sports since the beginning, providing a sense of stability in the booth. He has called every Cup race that Fox has televised, making him a familiar voice to NASCAR fans.
Over the years, the booth has seen a lot of changes. In 2016, Jeff Gordon joined as an analyst, replacing Larry McReynolds. Then, in 2019, Darrell Waltrip retired from broadcasting. The addition of Clint Bowyer and the departure of Gordon in 2021 led to a rotating cast of guest analysts. However, this year, Kevin Harvick joined as a full-time analyst, bringing stability to the booth once again.
Joy spoke about the dynamics in the booth, saying that they strive for a conversational and opinionated atmosphere. The comfort and trust between himself, Bowyer, and Harvick allow for a more natural and entertaining broadcast. They all have different roles, with Harvick providing firsthand knowledge and analysis, Bowyer bringing entertainment value, and Joy acting as the glue that holds it all together.
When asked about his future in broadcasting, Joy expressed his love for what he does and his desire to continue as long as he can contribute to the telecast. He acknowledged that there are critics who say he’s lost his touch, but he aims to provide a friendly and trusted voice, just like his idols Ken Squier and Barney Hall. He wants viewers to feel informed and entertained by the end of each race.
Reflecting on his career, Joy mentioned the 1998 Daytona 500 as one of his favorite moments. It wasn’t just because of his commentary, but because of the preparation and reaction from the entire team. He also spoke about the challenges of calling close finishes, relying on what he sees on the racetrack and waiting for NASCAR to make the official call. He hopes to establish a more defined process for these situations in the future.
Joy concluded by expressing his gratitude for being a part of NASCAR broadcasting since the 1970s and contributing to fans’ enjoyment and understanding of the sport. He recognizes his role as a historical voice in the sport and hopes that someone will continue to carry on that tradition in the future.