BRISTOL, TN – The first ever Major League Baseball (MLB) game to be played in the state of Tennessee is taking place within a NASCAR facility. Bristol Motor Speedway, affectionately nicknamed “The Last Great Colosseum”, is the sight of the first MLB Speedway Classic on Saturday, August 2.

The Jumbotron, which hangs over the track at Bristol Motor Speedway, doubled as a scoreboard during the MLB Speedway Classic on Saturday night. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

Playing against the Cincinnati Reds, the Atlanta Braves (46-63 overall and 16 games out of first place in the NL East) were not at Truist Park, where they have played their best baseball this season (26-26 overall). They were most however at home in Tennessee. Like most of the Southeast, particularly Georgia’s border states of Alabama and Tennessee, the baseball fans here are from Braves Country. Rain drenched the track and the outfield hours before the game, but by the time the National Anthem was being sung, fans were in their seats and a unique experiment and collaborations between sports giants, NASCAR and MLB was underway.

The Speedway Classic was much bigger than a regular season game between the Braves and Reds. The economic impact on. the community in Bristol could immediately be felt by the locals allowing visitors to park in their driveways for as much as $40 and as low as $10.

Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

There is an economic impact for employees as well. At a non-race day event like this hundreds of people worked at the speedway on Friday and Saturday.

It might mean more to the players as well. Reds players could be seen walking out onto the field to get selfies and pictures after the rain stopped hours before the game began. As many games as these two teams worth of major leaguers have played, they have never played one like this one.

“I forgot how beautiful this part of the country was,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. A former player and manager in Kingsport and in the Appalachian League, Snitker spent years of his career in Tennessee.

Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker took questions from the press before the first MLB Speedway Classic at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday, August 2, 2025. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

On MHII playing centerfield at Bristol Motor Speedway, Snitker said he expected Harris, who is hitting over .400 during his last 7 games, to have a good time roaming the outfield. Harris was waiting off to the side as Braves first baseman Matt Olson completed his media obligations. Harris, who looked like he was good spirits, was seen clapping after Olson was done.

“He likes running around out there,” Snitker said of Harris, one of the best defensive center fielders in the majors. “It will be fun for him. It will be fun for all the guys.”

The game of baseball has been around a long tine, but being able to trend in the right direction with a new generation of fans is something the MLB Speedway Classic could accomplish. Reds manager Terry Francona said everyone involved should enjoy this unique opportunity. 

“For one day we can make some slight adjustments,” he said. “If it’s good for the game, we need to put a smile on and do it.” 

Atlanta Braves starting right fielder Ronald Acuna, Jr. (pictured bottom left) was not available for the MLB Speedway Classic. Acuna tweeted a hamstring in a game a week earlier. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

The night’s starting pitchers, Braves pitcher Spencer Strider and Red pitcher Chase Burns are playing in front of friends and family on their home state.

Braves first baseman Matt Olson and Reds pitcher Andrew Abbott, a native Virginian and NASCAR fan since he was young, with spoke to the media before the game. Both men said it was an interesting set up and that they were looking forward to seeing how the field played.

Olson said he had never been to Bristol Motor Speedway and his first impression after seeing the facility from the bus when the team arrived and then getting a look at the field inside: “I can’t believe they are doing all this for one game.”

It’s bigger than a single game.

The 2025 season will definitely go down as one of the most memorable for the Atlanta Braves, for both good and bad reasons. This MLB Speedway Classic will be one of those good reasons.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:24 p.m.

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