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At 75 years old, NASCAR commentator Mike Joy has just about seen and done it all in the broadcast booth. Joy began his career in 1983 as a pit reporter for CBS Sports before moving his way into a lead play-by-play role. But now some NASCAR fans are wondering if it’s not time for him to the pass the torch to someone younger.
Joy faced criticism last year as FOX faced production troubles and an overwhelming commercial load that worsened the the viewing product. He snapped back at those fans before ultimately acknowledging that they had a point. But this year, he’s under fire for different reasons.
Hate to beat a dead horse with a stick but that was one of the more depressing final lap calls from a broadcast I’ve ever heard. I mean it could’ve been lap 45 and I wouldn’t have been able to tell the difference.#NASCAR
— RJ Starcevic (@RJStarcevic) March 3, 2025
Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas came down to a thrilling final lap with leader Christopher Bell holding a narrow advantage over chasers William Byron and Tyler Reddick. Bell eventually held on for the victory, but had to fight and tooth and nail in order to do so. Joy’s call of the final lap, however, left a lot to be desired.
Shortly after the race ended, fans set their sights on the Fox broadcast and how it harmed the product.
“Between Kevin (Harvick) delivering lines like a PR robot, Clint (Bowyer) not being able to finish a sentence without flubbing, and Mike (Joy) pushing towards 80, we really need to shake the booth up. They can’t carry the lackluster production,” one fan wrote.
“I love Mike Joy but man it’s time to hang it up man,” said another.
Many fans suggested that Joy’s apparent apathy detracted from an otherwise exciting race.
“Mike Joy seems disinterested most of the race and Clint and Kevin are having to do way more talking than necessary,” one wrote.
Ultimately, Joy is an iconic voice in the booth for NASCAR. Whenever he does step away, it will represent the end of an era. But that time might be coming sooner rather than later if fans have any say in the matter.