Kyle Busch, Chase Elliott combine with Chipper Jones, Johnny Bench for first pitch at Speedway Classic

Two MLB Hall of Famers teamed up with a pair of current NASCAR stars to throw the first pitch Saturday at the MLB Speedway Classic at Bristol Motor Speedway. Braves legend Chipper Jones threw to Chase Elliott first, then Kyle Busch followed that with a throw to Reds great Johnny Bench.

It was a historic moment, not only because of the combined starpower, but this is also the first MLB game ever played at Bristol Motor Speedway. As such, the league brought up the big names for the first pitch, and you can view the moment below.

The ceremonial first pitches at Bristol: Chipper Jones to Chase Elliott and Kyle Busch to Johnny Bench pic.twitter.com/EJ86K8i0Po

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) August 3, 2025

There were an estimated 85,000 tickets sold for the event, breaking the previous MLB record of 84,547. The game was delayed for more than two hours to start due to rain that continued to fall even once play began at 9:40 p.m. ET.

But the return to action and first pitch got fans excited. Unfortunately, shortly after the play resumed, so did the rain. Play was stopped again as puddles began to form in the infield and the tarp was rolled back out.

The league fought hard to make sure that the special event carried on, even attempting to pour more dirt onto the infield. But the rain showed no sign of letting up any time soon and the decision had to be made to postpone the game without even completing one inning.

The game is set to resume at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday at Bristol Motor Speedway. It’s definitely disappointing that it couldn’t have taken place as scheduled, but at least Kyle Busch and Chase Elliott got to provide them with this moment alongside Bench and Jones.

More on the MLB Speedway Classic

Bristol Motor Speedway has also hosted Tennessee and Virginia Tech for a college football game in 2016. That game saw nearly 157,000 people in attendance. The current MLB attendance record is 115,300 people from a 2008 game between the Dodgers and Red Sox at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Both teams will wear special racing-inspired uniforms for the game. The Braves caps feature flames on them, while the Reds cap has checkered flags across the visor. That’s not all, though, as it was revealed that Braves catcher Tyler Stephenson plans to dress up as Ricky Bobby, the character portrayed by Will Ferrell in the movie “Talladega Nights.”

As disappointing as the result of Saturday are, players and fans alike will hope to keep good spirits heading into Sunday. Hopefully they can also avoid weather and finally get the first ever MLB Speedway Classic underway.