Since the start of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season, fans have tuned into Amazon Prime to watch both practice and qualifying sessions. Each weekend they’ve watched and listened to veteran broadcaster Mike Joy lead the way with Kevin Harvick and Clint Bowyer providing analysis.
On Saturday at Kansas Speedway, fans were surprised when they began watching the streaming service and instead of the familiar voice of Joy, it was Harvick in charge of managing the show. He was joined in the booth by Bowyer and Jamie McMurray.
“We’re here to try and cover practice and qualifying without Mike Joy,” Harvick said in the opening seconds of the coverage. But there was no reason given for the announcer’s absence.
Naturally, fans began speculating as to why the 75-year-old, who called his first Daytona 500 in 1979, was absent from the broadcast.
“Is Mike Joy ok?,” one fan asked.
“I wonder if this was a prime choice?” questioned another.
“Got a surprise edition of driver’s only. In the booth anyway,” said another fan. “I saw some comments hoping Mike’s ok. Not sure what, but either way I echo those sentiments.”
“TELL US WHERE MIKE IS,” demanded another.
“Mike’s giving Harvick some practice to do play by play for when he takes over for Mike in 2028,” another suggested.
If Joy returns for Sunday’s Cup Series race, it will be his last broadcast for a points-paying race in 2025. Next week is the All-Star Race and it will be followed by the Coca-Cola 600, which will air on Amazon Prime.
