The MLB Speedway Classic, which was initially supposed to be held on Saturday but was delayed due to heavy rainfall, set a new attendance record on Sunday with 91,032 fans attending. This event saw the Atlanta Braves beat the Cincinnati Reds 4-2 at Bristol Motor Speedway, Tennessee. Although the number of attendees who returned on Sunday is uncertain, the game officially marked a milestone in MLB history.
After a lengthy rain delay on Saturday, which pushed back the start by more than two hours, the game began with Chase Burns of the Reds pitching a flawless first inning. However, the Braves’ Austin Cox entered the game as a last-minute substitution for Spencer Strider, who returned from elbow surgery. Cox gave up an RBI single to Austin Hays before the game was halted due to adverse weather conditions.
Upon resuming play, the Braves turned things around with Hurston Waldrep pitching 5 ⅔ innings of one-run ball, marking his first MLB win. Eli White led the way for Atlanta, hitting two home runs and driving in four runs.
Eli White takes his second lap around the bases! #SpeedwayClassic pic.twitter.com/HsY0oC2npu — MLB (@MLB) August 3, 2025
The Reds managed to place the tying run on base without any outs in the ninth inning, but Braves closer Raisel Iglesias secured three consecutive outs to maintain Atlanta’s lead and claim victory.
During the event, Hall of Famers Johnny Bench and Chipper Jones threw the ceremonial first pitches, joined by NASCAR drivers Kyle Busch and Chase Elliott. They were followed by performances from country star Tim McGraw, son of former MLB pitcher Tug McGraw, and Pitbull who entertained the crowd before players took laps around the track.
Although the Speedway Classic was not the first major league game played in Tennessee, it was historic as the first featuring teams from both the American and National League. More than 85,000 tickets were sold, surpassing the previous record of 84,587, set during a game between the then Cleveland Guardians and New York Yankees on September 14, 1954.
This Sunday matchup concluded the three-game series between the Braves and the Reds, with the first two games being held at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.
