A prominent motorsports broadcaster is among the targets for Fox’s inaugural season as IndyCar’s U.S. media rights partner.
Will Buxton of Drive to Survive fame is reportedly being courted by Fox for the upcoming IndyCar season starting in March, according to Adam Stern of Sports Business Journal. Buxton currently serves as an on-air talent for the Formula 1-owned F1 TV. Before working for the racing circuit, he spent five years at NBC Sports as an F1 pit reporter from 2013 to 2018.
Per the report, it’s “unclear what Buxton’s role would entail and whether he has shown interest.” Fox has held talks with at least two other possible talents — former IndyCar drivers James Hinchcliffe and Townsend Bell — both of which were part of NBC’s IndyCar booth last year.
Leigh Diffey, who served as IndyCar’s play-by-play voice for NBC before the rights went to Fox, will not be part of Fox’s broadcast team. Diffey is staying with NBC to continue calling NASCAR and the Olympics. SBJ mentions Allen Bestwick, the PA announcer at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, as a “natural candidate” for Diffey’s old role. However, Buxton could prove the splashier hire.
Fox will broadcast all 17 races of the IndyCar season on its broadcast network, making the circuit the only motorsport in the U.S. to have every event on over-the-air television. Despite heavy promotion across its other sports properties, Fox has yet to announce any talent plans for the circuit, which will hold its first race in just under two months.
About Drew Lerner
Drew Lerner is a staff writer for Awful Announcing and an aspiring cable subscriber. He previously covered sports media for Sports Media Watch. Future beat writer for the Oasis reunion tour.