Chase Elliott invites MLB fans Bristol as the iconic Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee prepares to host its first-ever Major League Baseball showdown on August 2, 2025, when the Atlanta Braves take on the Cincinnati Reds. This event, labeled the MLB Speedway Classic, marks the first regular-season MLB game held in Tennessee and transforms the legendary NASCAR venue into an electrifying baseball stadium for one unforgettable night.
The Speedway Classic promises to be much more than a baseball game, blending sports and spectacle in a way never previously imagined. Stadium crews are engaged in a massive overhaul, turning the infield into a regulation baseball field. Approximately 18,000 tons of gravel and 340 tons of clay are being moved in to create the base, topped with synthetic turf reminiscent of major league parks like Toronto’s Rogers Centre but with a distinctly Bristol flair. The baseball diamond stretches between the steep grandstand banks of Turns 3 and 4, setting the stage for a unique and visually striking contest as Braves pitcher Spencer Strider faces off against Tennessee native Chase Burns.
Expectations for attendance are soaring, with more than 100,000 tickets already sold. The venue is on track to break the long-standing MLB regular-season crowd record of 84,587, set in 1954, and the atmosphere promises to be more like a festival than a standard ballgame. Fans can look forward to a 110-foot Ferris wheel, batting cages, pitching tunnels, gourmet food trucks, and a performance by the iconic Budweiser Clydesdales. Pre-game entertainment will see stars including Tim McGraw, Pitbull, and Jake Owen performing live, infusing Bristol’s signature country-music culture with the excitement of a sold-out sports spectacle.
The Braves and Reds are fully embracing the crossover, donning uniforms inspired by NASCAR, complete with flames and checkered flag motifs. This environment sets a new precedent for what fans can expect at the intersection of two traditional American pastimes.
Star pitchers and a stadium like no other
The players are preparing for a contest that feels less like a novelty and more like a serious, high-stakes battle. Braves ace Spencer Strider, looking to rebound from recent setbacks, will pitch against Chase Burns—a local star armed with a 98-mph fastball and a devastating slider. Both athletes are treating the matchup as a playoff-level challenge, lending credibility and competitiveness to the event. The spectacle at Bristol Motor Speedway is set to be a historic moment in American sports, and NASCAR star Chase Elliott is leading the charge to bring baseball fans into the NASCAR fold.
Chase Elliott’s personal invitation to MLB fans
Chase Elliott, a Georgia native and lifelong supporter of the Braves, has enthusiastically promoted the Speedway Classic as a transformative event for both sets of fans since he first discussed it at MLB’s headquarters in April. Elliott’s invitation to fans to experience the combined excitement of major-league sports at Bristol Motor Speedway captures the energy and anticipation surrounding the event.
In a conversation with Frontstretch, Elliott said,
“Yeah, I’m excited about it. I think it’s going to be fun. So I was watching SportsCenter this morning and they were talking about… talking to some of the players, and even Ozzy and some of those guys haven’t even seen it yet, so that’s kind of cool. I think it’ll be… yeah, should be a treat for everybody.”
—Chase Elliott, NASCAR Driver
This marks a rare opportunity for fans of both sports to experience an entirely new kind of atmosphere, with players and celebrities equally enthusiastic about the crossover. On SportsCenter, MLB players joined in the buzz, predicting an unprecedented energy in the ballpark-via-raceway setting.
Elliott continued,
“I think that’s the hope … maybe it attracts some people that have never been to Bristol.”
—Chase Elliott, NASCAR Driver
He added encouragement for baseball lovers to discover Bristol’s unique draw:
“Well, I don’t think that’s the hope in it, right, is to at least, yeah maybe attract some people that have never been to Bristol. Or I mean the race is only in what, about a month?. So yeah, I think once people lay their eyes on the facility and kind of how nice it is, I would have to imagine it would at least make you curious to maybe come back and see it, and hopefully that’s the case. You know, we… we can get some MLB fans to… come check us out.”
—Chase Elliott, NASCAR Driver
The aim, according to Elliott, is to not only thrill those present but also inspire attendees to return for a future NASCAR event such as the Bass Pro Shops Night Race in September. He has made the case on MLB Network and ESPN that fandoms for NASCAR and the Braves align naturally, and he envisions this collaboration as the start of lasting cross-sport enthusiasm.
NASCAR’s championship race intensifies
While rallying excitement for the MLB Speedway Classic, Elliott is simultaneously fighting to maintain his lead in the NASCAR Cup Series regular-season points race. With only four races left in the regular season, the battle among drivers is heating up to a fever pitch. Elliott, representing Hendrick Motorsports, holds a slim points advantage heading into the next event at Iowa Speedway.
His teammate William Byron trails by just four points, having narrowed a double-digit deficit at Indianapolis. Hendrick’s Kyle Larson is close behind, 15 points back, following a strong finish at the Brickyard 400. Denny Hamlin remains a contender as well, only 20 points out, despite missing the Mexico City race but securing a third-place finish in Indianapolis. With Christopher Bell further behind at fifth, the focus is on this tight four-way struggle for the regular-season crown.
The pressure on Elliott is immense as each lap could potentially determine who seizes the championship lead. He has already secured his place in the playoffs following a win at Atlanta’s Quaker State 400, but the pursuit of consistency is now paramount. All this unfolds amid the growing excitement of the upcoming Speedway Classic, where crowds from both the racing and baseball communities are set to collide.
A new era for sporting spectacles at Bristol
The baseball showdown at Bristol is more than an experiment; it is poised to reshape the possibilities for sports venues and fan experiences nationwide. With a projected attendance that may shatter long-standing records and a sensory-overload of festival entertainment, this unique event could guide the future of crossover sports programming in America. The transformation of Bristol Motor Speedway for the MLB Speedway Classic may inspire similar fusions at other legendary sites across the country.
Chase Elliott’s personal investment and open invitation to both loyal NASCAR supporters and newly minted baseball enthusiasts highlights the significance of this moment. Whether it’s a groundbreaking twist or a sign of changing times, fans from every side are watching closely. Bristol’s upcoming event promises not just to make history, but to lay the foundation for new traditions connecting baseball, racing, and American culture in thrilling new ways.
