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Legendary NASCAR commentator Mike Joy isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, despite calls from fans for him to retire.
Joy, 74, has been around the sport since 1983 when he began as a pit reporter for CBS Sports.
Despite some slip-ups in recent years, Joy reportedly plans on sticking with FOX for its NASCAR coverage in 2025 and perhaps beyond.
“Mike Joy, Fox Sports’ lead NASCAR play-by-play announcer, says he intends to return to the booth next year as the network starts the sport’s new media rights cycle,” Adam Stern of Sports Business Journal reports. “…Joy’s deal with Fox is said to be up after this year, and it was unclear whether he had signed a contract extension, but his wishes would likely carry some weight with Fox executives given his tenure and prominence. ”
When Stern asked directly about his future, Joy sent a text stating that he’s “looking forward to next year.”
NASCAR Fans Are Torn Over Mike Joy Returning To The Broadcast Booth
Joy heads a three-man broadcast team. His co-commentators are former drivers Clint Bowyer and Kevin Harvick, the latter of whom is in his first season in the booth after retiring following the 2023 season.
Most fans were happy to hear Joy is coming back.
Good. @mikejoy500 has never been the problem with @NASCARONFOX, and he's perfectly handled other momentous broadcast transitions in the sport. Not just 2001, but also stepping in for Ken Squier calling the 500 for CBS in 1998. https://t.co/YGn7YHiiAJ
— Brock Beard (@LASTCARonBROCK) June 4, 2024
This is GREAT news. @mikejoy500 is a legend and holds that booth together. Thankful he is back another year https://t.co/WitgB30dKm
— Tom Nielsen (@bighomerfan) June 4, 2024
But not everyone felt the same way.
Absolute hall of famer, but with all due respect, he is completely past his prime. It blows my mind when I see people praising his current work. https://t.co/QxksdrSSYn
— Jarred Walker (@BigTangBaby) June 4, 2024
Considering fox coverage is trash, it's only natural they keep the most trash announcer God ever dropped on this planet. https://t.co/akvt8gHxQ1
— Bills Mafia since 1987 (@bills_1987) June 4, 2024
Joy is likely a future NASCAR Hall of Famer. But he drew the ire of fans earlier this season when he chided them for complaining about the number of commercials during race broadcasts.
“For all the keyboard warriors, I’m gonna do this in words of one syllable,” he said at the time. “The last green-flag, full-screen break of this race comes right now.”
Joy is the face of FOX’s broadcast. But he also serves as the proverbial punching bag for fans who have problems with the network’s production.
Having him back in the booth is a win for all involved. But unless FOX makes major changes to the way it produces races, it won’t much matter.