MLB Hits The Track Running: Speedway Classic ’25 In Bristol Pits Braves Vs. Reds
Friday, August 9, 2024 at 02:58PM By Barry Janoff
August 9, 2024: MLB keeps looking for unique places to play and keeps finding them.
In 2025, MLB will play a regular-season game in Tennessee's Bristol Motor Speedway.
The MLB Speedway Classic presented by BuildSubmarines.com is scheduled for Aug. 2 featuring the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds. It will air on Fox (7 PM ET).
“Major League Baseball is excited to deliver a special game at Bristol Motor Speedway, a unique setting that sports fans will remember forever," MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said today during a presentation and media event in Bristol Motor Speedway.
"The Reds and the Braves form an ideal matchup because of their dynamic talent and the proximity of their markets. We look forward to celebrating our game with a wide array of fans, both on and off the field throughout the weekend, and highlighting the rich traditions of sports, music and community in Tennessee and across the region."
Organizers said a baseball diamond would be built across the track and infield of the Speedway, which for racing events has a capacity of approximately 146,000.
MLB and Bristol Motor Speedway said seating would include about two-thirds of the track’s existing stands, and that temporary seats would be built behind home plate and in the infield down the first and third base lines.
Attendance could top 100,000.
This will be the first regular-season game in MLB history played in Tennessee, according to the league.
However, it is not the first non-racing event at Bristol Motor Speedway.
It has hosted concerts, two college football games in September 2016 — in one, Tennessee and Virginia Tech played before 156,990 people, a record for an NCAA football game — and in September 1961 a pre-season NFL game between the Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles.
Multi-media marketing support has started with an intro spot, “Start Your Engines: MLB Is Coming To Nascar.”
In addition to BuildSubmarines.com, other MLB partners will be involved.
The event featured mascots from both teams and a Chevy MLB Speedway Classic-branded car, all shown on the track’s Colossus TV, a 30 x 63-foot television screen.
MLB and Nascar icons Chase Elliott, Chipper Jones, Kevin Harvick, Ross Chastain and Eric Davis threw out ceremonial first pitches in the Speedway.
The ceremony included Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee in addition to representatives from MLB, Nascar and Bristol Motor Speedway.
The game will count as a Reds home game, following games against the Braves in Cincinnati July 31 and Aug. 1. Aug. 3. will be an off-day for both teams as a back-up for Aug. 2 if there is inclement weather.
“It is an honor for our organization to be a part of Major League Baseball’s Speedway Classic," said Derek Schiller, Braves president and CEO. "Bristol Motor Speedway is sure to offer one of the most exciting and memorable experiences in our game’s history.
“We look forward to seeing tens of thousands of fans from across Braves Country gather in Bristol next August to cheer on our team in this iconic venue.”
The Braves are also hosting the 2025 MLB All-Star Game in July.
MLB and Bristol Motor Speedway said there would be fan experiences surrounding the game, to be unveiled as the date approaches.
Public tickets go on sale in December. (Ticket and information details here.)
“It’s going to be incredibly cool to see Major League Baseball, the Atlanta Braves and the Cincinnati Reds descend upon Bristol Motor Speedway, one of Nascar’s most iconic venues, for what will surely be an extraordinary game and experience in 2025,” Ben Kennedy, Nascar evp-chief venue and racing innovation officer, said at the ceremony.
“The Braves and Reds are two storied franchises, and both reside in markets filled with passionate Nascar fans. Already the site for so many amazing Nascar moments, Bristol Motor Speedway is the perfect backdrop for this exciting milestone event.”
The first Nascar race in Bristol Motor Speedway was July 30, 1961. The venue is also known as “Thunder Valley,” “The World’s Fastest Half-Mile” and “The Last Great Colosseum.”
“There is deep baseball history in Bristol and around this area, long acknowledged as the heart of the Appalachian League,” said Jerry Caldwell, president and GM of Bristol Motor Speedway. “ In addition, Bristol’s location makes it the perfect ‘meet in the middle’ destination for a showdown between these two beloved clubs.
“It’s only appropriate for the World’s Fastest Half-Mile to showcase this game where the talented athletes will be on display in a venue that’s reputation was built on speed and high performance . . . We’re ready. Let’s play ball at Bristol, Baby!”
Artist Renditions: MLB, Bristol Motor Speedway
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