Major League Baseball is headed somewhere it’s never been before. On August 2, two powerhouse teams will step onto an infield few thought would ever host a baseball game. The Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves are preparing for a one-of-a-kind contest at Bristol Motor Speedway, the iconic NASCAR short track nestled in Tennessee’s mountains. With racing-style uniforms, fanfare, and a field in the middle of the speedway, this event is shaping up to be more than just a ballgame.
Key Highlights
The Reds and Braves will play an MLB game at Bristol Motor Speedway on August 2.
Both teams will wear NASCAR-themed uniforms designed for the event.
The game will take place inside the track’s infield and count as a Reds home game.
Rawlings and players have created special gear inspired by auto racing culture.
The event will feature a pregame concert and fan experiences throughout the day.
A Historic First for Major League Baseball and NASCAR
For the first time ever, a Major League Baseball game will be played inside a NASCAR track. Bristol Motor Speedway, long known as “The Last Great Colosseum,” will convert its infield into a functioning baseball diamond for the Reds-Braves game. The move is part of MLB’s recent strategy to bring the game to unique venues, similar to past Field of Dreams or London Series matchups.
The game, scheduled for Friday, August 2, will serve as the finale of a three-game series between the two clubs. The first two games will be played at the Reds’ regular home, Great American Ball Park, on July 31 and August 1. The Bristol game itself will be officially considered a home game for the Reds.
Bristol’s oval layout and stadium-style seating are expected to create a one-of-a-kind fan experience. It’s a temporary transformation that, while unprecedented for MLB, has precedent at this venue. In 2016, Bristol converted its interior for a college football game between Tennessee and Virginia Tech, drawing nearly 157,000 fans.
Teams Embrace NASCAR Spirit with Custom Uniforms and Gear
Both clubs are leaning into the NASCAR theme with specialty uniforms. The Cincinnati Reds revealed their custom jerseys on July 21. They feature white bases with checkered flag accents and driver-style uniform numbers across the back. The Atlanta Braves answered with their own design: NASCAR-inspired numbers and flame-patterned New Era caps reminiscent of hot rod culture.
JUST IN: The Braves and Reds have revealed exclusive uniforms for the Speedway Classic 🏁
The Braves cap features flames on the top of the visor, while the Reds cap has checkered racing flags across its visor
The jersey numbers reflect the spirit of numbers on racecars
The 2… pic.twitter.com/SrH5Ck5Rbu
— MLB (@MLB) July 21, 2025
The automotive inspiration doesn’t stop there. Rawlings has developed unique batting helmets for the game modeled after real racing helmets. One of the more talked-about pieces is from Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson, who showed off a custom chest protector referencing the film Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. The back straps even carry the movie’s famous line: “If you ain’t first, you’re last.”
It’s all part of a concerted effort by both organizations and MLB to turn the event into a spectacle with crossover appeal for both baseball and NASCAR fans.
Concerts, Video Games, and Trophy Appearances: The Fan Experience
Beyond the on-field matchup, the Bristol Motor Speedway event will be loaded with extras. A full-scale pregame concert will feature Tim McGraw, Pitbull, and Jake Owen, with Owen headlining additional sets in a dedicated fan zone. The day-long entertainment schedule mirrors what fans might expect from a major NASCAR weekend.
Adding to the attraction, the Commissioner’s Trophy—awarded annually to the World Series champion—will be on display for fan photos. This will offer many in attendance their first close-up experience with the most coveted trophy in baseball.
In another crossover, MLB: The Show 25 will include this Bristol matchup as a playable game mode. The specialty uniforms from both clubs and the custom field will be featured, allowing fans at home to simulate the experience.
This multilayered effort signals MLB’s commitment to creative fan engagement and its willingness to reach into new territory—literally and figuratively. Likewise, Bristol’s involvement marks yet another chapter in the speedway’s evolution as more than just a racetrack.
News in Brief: MLB Takes Over Bristol Motor Speedway
The Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves will make history on August 2 with the first MLB game ever played at a NASCAR venue. The event, held at Bristol Motor Speedway, features custom racing-themed uniforms, specialty batting gear, a field built in the track’s infield, and a packed concert lineup including Tim McGraw, Pitbull, and Jake Owen. Video game tie-ins and a public viewing of the Commissioner’s Trophy add to the experience. The game will count as a home game for the Reds.
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