MLB Speedway Classic at Bristol Hosts Reds, Braves in Record-Setting Baseball Event

The Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson will wear special catcher's gear inspired by the 2006 comedy "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby" during the MLB Speedway Classic on August 2 at Bristol Motor Speedway. His gear features detailed elements such as the "Wonder Bread" logo, flames from Ricky Bobby's jacket, checkered flag patterns, and the famous quote "If you ain't first, you're last." The game, played between the Reds and the Atlanta Braves, will be the first regular-season Major League Baseball game held in Tennessee, a state without an MLB team. Bristol Motor Speedway, primarily a racing venue, will be transformed into a baseball stadium with a capacity of nearly 150,000, offering the chance to set a new MLB attendance record. This event follows previous sports adaptations of the venue, including a record-setting NCAA football game in 2016. The unique setting and Stephenson's themed gear have generated excitement among fans for this novel MLB experience.