IMSA Broadcast Lineups Set for NBC Sports, IMSA Radio

By IMSA Wire Service

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The stories from the 50th Anniversary season of IMSA will be told in more detail than ever before through robust talent lineups on both NBC Sports and IMSA Radio.

NBC Sports announced late Thursday that veteran play-by-play announcer Leigh Diffey is returning to his sports car racing roots as the lead announcer. He’ll be joined in the booth by longtime sports car analyst and former driver Calvin Fish and a newcomer to the analyst ranks, A.J. Allmendinger, the 2012 Rolex 24 At Daytona overall winner and a veteran of Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series competition.

“Leigh has a unique ability to communicate all of the stories and battles taking place throughout a race,” said NBC Sports Executive Producer and President of Productions Sam Flood. “A.J. will bring a fresh perspective from the driver’s seat to the booth, while Calvin’s familiarity with IMSA both as a racer and analyst will combine for an informed and entertaining listen.”

Diffey has been the lead play-by-play voice for NBC Sports’ IndyCar and Formula One coverage since 2013. Prior to joining NBC Sports, Diffey previously called GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series and American Le Mans Series from 2003 through 2012.

Fish was an analyst for FOX Sports’ IMSA coverage and was the IMSA GTO class winner at both the Rolex 24 At Daytona and the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring in 1990. Allmendinger competed in the NASCAR Cup Series for 13 seasons, most recently with JTG Daugherty Racing, and won five Champ Car World Series races in 2006. He will compete in the 2019 Rolex 24 as part of the driver lineup in the No. 86 Meyer Shank Racing Acura NSX GT3.

NBC Sports will announce details on additional analysts and pit reports at a later date. As part of a six-year partnership announced last year, NBC Sports will cover all 12 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship races in 2019 across NBC, NBCSN, CNBC, NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app.

The IMSA Radio partnership between IMSA and Radio Show Limited (RSL) has delivered the excitement of IMSA to worldwide audiences nonstop since 2015. Popular announcers John Hindhaugh, Jeremy Shaw and Shea Adam will be joined by another experienced sports car voice this year with Brian Till joining the IMSA Radio team.

Till, another former driver, was a fixture on FOX Sports’ coverage of IMSA for two decades. He brings experience as a play-by-play announcer, analyst and pit reporter into his new role with IMSA Radio.

“We couldn’t be more pleased with the lineup of storytellers we will have in 2019,” said IMSA Vice President, Marketing David Pettit. “Without question, NBC Sports is bringing a fresh approach to IMSA television with a great mix of experience in the booth. Likewise, IMSA Radio – which continues to be immensely popular with our fans and continues to deliver increased audiences – will get even better with the addition of Brian to the already talented team.”

IMSA Radio covers five IMSA-sanctioned series: the WeatherTech Championship, IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, IMSA Prototype Challenge, Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama and Lamborghini Super Trofeo. Its first race broadcast of the season happens Saturday with the 2019 IMSA Prototype Challenge three-hour Scouts of America race at Daytona International Speedway.

Both IMSA Radio and NBC Sports are out in full force at this weekend’s Roar Before the Rolex 24 At Daytona gathering content for the upcoming season.