Bristol Motor Speedway is making headlines as it transforms from a legendary NASCAR venue into the stage for a record-breaking Major League Baseball event. Today, the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds are set to face off in the Speedway Classic—the first regular-season MLB game ever played in Tennessee. With fan excitement at an all-time high, more than 85,000 tickets have already been sold, cementing the Bristol Motor Speedway’s reputation as a site for sports history.
Major League Baseball has gone all-in for this unprecedented spectacle. Organizers worked around the clock for just 30 days to construct an MLB-caliber field inside the high-banked oval of Bristol Motor Speedway. Crews brought in nearly 18,000 tons of gravel to level the surface, installed 124,000 square feet of AstroTurf’s Diamond Series (the same synthetic turf used by the Toronto Blue Jays), and retrofitted the space with fencing, netting, and wall protection meeting the league’s strict safety standards.
This conversion didn’t come easy:
- Pit walls and select signage had to be temporarily dismantled.
- The Sunoco fuel tanks and a portion of the iconic Goodyear building came out.
- Nearly 200 extra lights were installed to meet national broadcast standards for a primetime game.
For fans, it’s not just about the game. The Speedway Classic includes a massive entertainment lineup:
- Grammy-winning artist Tim McGraw and superstar Pitbull headline a pregame concert inside the stadium.
- Country music stars Jake Owen, Timothy Wayne, Reyna Roberts, and Adam Doleac will perform in a bustling fan zone.
- Attractions include a 110-foot Ferris wheel, MLB pitching tunnels, batting cages, food trucks offering Tennessee favorites, and exclusive photo ops with the Commissioner’s Trophy and branded MLB stock cars.
- Hall of Famers Chipper Jones and Johnny Bench will throw ceremonial first pitches, symbolizing decades of baseball greatness.
This game marks the first time a professional baseball field has been constructed inside a NASCAR track, and the fan response has been overwhelming. Tickets purchased span all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and nine other countries across four continents. The stadium is expected to surpass the standing attendance record of 84,587—set during a Cleveland vs. Yankees doubleheader in 1954—for a major league regular-season game.
Special Features for the Speedway Classic
The playing field itself is nestled between Turns 3 and 4 of the stadium, with the pregame concert stage and prime fan activities radiating from Turns 1 and 2. Uniforms for both teams were specially designed for this event, taking inspiration from racing aesthetics and blending the cultural heritage of Bristol’s famous racing legacy with baseball tradition.
With this milestone, MLB proves its commitment to bringing America’s pastime to new audiences and stunning venues. As fans pour into Bristol Motor Speedway, the world will watch as both motorsport and baseball history are made side by side.
Whether you’re a die-hard baseball fan, a racing enthusiast, or simply love unique sports experiences, today’s event at Bristol Motor Speedway is something you can’t miss. What part of the Speedway Classic are you most excited about? Share your thoughts in the comments and stay tuned for more major sports updates.