Bristol Motor Speedway Transforms Into MLB Ballpark for Braves-Reds Game

Major League Baseball is transforming Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee into a temporary ballpark for the Speedway Classic on August 2, where the Atlanta Braves will face the Cincinnati Reds in the state's first MLB game. The extensive renovation involves leveling the infield with 17,500 tons of gravel and 340 tons of Pennsylvania clay, installing a synthetic playing surface like Toronto's Rogers Centre, and adding specialized lighting and temporary facilities such as locker rooms, batting cages, and weight rooms. NASCAR driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and former racing and baseball stars have promoted the event, highlighting the unique challenge of the half-mile banked racetrack and the excitement of converting it into a baseball venue. Bristol Motor Speedway president Jerry Caldwell and project leaders emphasize the precision and careful planning required to execute the transformation, with all temporary structures to be removed in time for the NASCAR Bass Pro Shops Night Race in September. The event will also feature entertainment including pregame concerts by Tim McGraw and Pitbull, fan zones, and is expected to draw a historic crowd, potentially rivaling prior MLB special-event attendance records. This ambitious initiative exemplifies MLB's growing interest in special-event games at unconventional venues, combining sports and entertainment to create a memorable experience.