The Speedway Classic, specifically the 2025 MLB Speedway Classic, was a Major League Baseball specialty game between the Atlanta Braves and the Cincinnati Reds. It was held at the Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee, a famous NASCAR racetrack. This event marked the first regular-season National League or American League game played in Tennessee. Highlights of the event include:
- The game was played on a baseball diamond constructed on the infield of the NASCAR speedway.
- It set a new all-time regular-season single-game attendance record for MLB with 91,032 tickets sold, surpassing the previous record from 1954.
- The game started on August 2, 2025, but due to rain delays, it resumed on August 3, 2025. The Atlanta Braves won the game 4-2.
- The field dimensions were adjusted to fit the speedway, with 330 feet down each foul line and 400 feet to center field.
- Since the field surface was primarily asphalt and concrete, the playing field used artificial turf with a traditional dirt infield.
- The event included pregame concerts with notable performers like Tim McGraw, Pitbull, and Jake Owen, celebrating the music roots of the Bristol area.
- A fan zone with entertainment such as live music, a 110-foot Ferris wheel, batting cages, pitching tunnels, and local food was set up for fans.
The Speedway Classic was designed to bring Major League Baseball to unique venues and attract a wide audience, blending the excitement of NASCAR with MLB baseball in a memorable sporting event.
