Rick Allen may be off the NASCAR airwaves for now, but the former NBC play-by-play voice has a new mic in hand. As the NFL preseason kicks off, Allen revealed he\u2019s joining the Carolina Panthers as their in-stadium entertainment PA announcer.<\/p>\n
\nLet\u2019s go!! Starting my new role as entertainment PA announcer for @Panthers<\/a> football games! #KeepPounding<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/t5xvlTV6HS<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Rick Allen (@RickAllenracing) August 8, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Allen\u2019s 20-plus-year NASCAR broadcasting career hit pause when NBC opted not to renew his contract<\/a> at the end of 2024. On an April episode of The Dale Jr. Download,<\/a> he revealed that he learned in January 2024 he\u2019d be replaced, just months after an NBC executive had allegedly told him a long-term deal was on the table. Leigh Diffey took over Cup Series duties<\/a>, while Allen finished his NBC run calling Xfinity Series races before that series moved to The CW.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the time, I didn\u2019t understand that. I guess I didn\u2019t know why that would be the way you would transition somebody in and me out,\u201d he told Earnhardt Jr., his former NBC colleague. \u201cI didn\u2019t know why. I went into that lunch meeting not having a clue my contract wouldn\u2019t be renewed\u2026 I was crushed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Away from the booth, Allen has been spending more time in the Carolinas, building custom cabinets and wood furniture. He even jumped back into racing coverage in June 2025, stepping in to call a CARS Tour race<\/a>, a series co-owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr.<\/p>\n
Since his departure \u2014 and after hearing his side of the story on Dale Earnhardt Jr.\u2019s podcast \u2014 many NASCAR fans have voiced how much they miss Allen\u2019s presence in the booth. Whether he\u2019ll return to calling races remains uncertain, but he\u2019s made it clear he\u2019d jump at the chance.<\/p>\n
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