Reds and Braves to make history at the Speedway Classic (featuring Pitbull) at Bristol

Tonight, the Cincinnati Reds begin their home series against the Atlanta Braves, dividing KSR’s morning radio show in two. On one side, Matt Jones celebrates the Summer of Elly. He’s even a season ticket holder at Great American Ball Park, where you can find him behind home plate with a good book in hand.

Across the KSR studio, Shannon The Dude and I are Atlanta Braves fans since birth, part of the generation that grew up watching TBS and 14 consecutive division titles. And speaking of books, I’m currently reading one about the history of the Atlanta Braves called “The Franchise” by Mark Bowman. I’m barely into it, but so far it’s been very good.

Enough about us, though. The pivotal series begins tonight at 7:10 p.m. in Cincinnati. However, only two of the three games will be played in Ohio because the teams head to Bristol, Tennessee, on Saturday to play the first-ever Major League Baseball game at Bristol Motor Speedway. The Reds and Braves will take over Bristol’s infield for the first-ever Speedway Classic at one of the iconic venues in racing.

Here’s what to know about this year’s MLB specialty game between the two teams KSR follows.

Speedway Classic ’25: Things To Know

— The MLB’s single-game attendance record is on the hot seat. As it stands now, the single-game attendance record for all MLB games is 115,300 people, set when the Dodgers hosted the Red Sox at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for a spring training game in 2008. Bristol’s capacity is 146,000 for racing, and it held even more, nearly 157,000, when it hosted Tennessee and Virginia Tech for a college football game in 2016.

— The MLB’s paid attendance record will certainly reach a new all-time high. With 85,000 tickets sold, Major League Baseball’s 71-year-old record for paid attendance will be broken on Saturday. Cleveland Stadium has held the record since September 12, 1954, when the Cleveland Indians welcomed the New York Yankees and 84,587 to Cleveland Stadium.

— Bristol’s temporary MLB field will span the infield between Turns 3 and 4, with dimensions of 330 feet down the lines and 400 to center.

— The game will be the first MLB game played in the state of Tennessee.

— Two Tennesseeans are expected to be the starting pitchers. The Reds plan to start former Tennessee Vol Chase Burns from outside of Nashville, while the Braves plan to start Spencer Strider, who grew up in Knoxville.

— The ceremonial first pitch will feature two Hall of Famers from each team. Hall of Fame Brave Chipper Jones will pitch to Hall of Fame Red Johnny Bench behind the plate.

— The U.S. Navy will also be a part of the pregame festivities as the Navy’s 250th birthday comes up in October. U.S. Navy MU1 Kathryn Dobyns will sing the national anthem under a flyover with four U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets. I was lucky enough to fly in one of those once, but not this time.

— Fans can enjoy a free concert before the game featuring a lineup of country stars Tim McGraw and Jake Owen, and rapper Pitbull. Yes, you read that correctly: Mr. 305 will be a part of the pregame fun in Bristol. Parts of the show will air on FOX’s pregame coverage.

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— Each team will wear exclusive Speedway Classic uniforms, revealed recently on social media. Jersey numbers will resemble NASCAR numbers on the uniform and batting helmets, in addition to a checkered flag and flame hat design.

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— And, though I’m a Braves fan, I must admit that Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson has incredible catcher gear for the game. Stephenson will dress as Ricky Bobby from Talladega Nights behind the plate.

One of the best things I’ve seen in awhile. Check out Tyler Stephenson’s gear for the Speedway Classic as he goes full Ricky Bobby and Talladega Nights. Shake and Bake!@EvoShield #Reds #MLB #ATOBTTR pic.twitter.com/x4vB8AWCeF

— Jim Day (@JimDayTV) July 6, 2025

How to watch the Speedway Classic

First pitch is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. Saturday night on FOX. The pregame begins at 6:00 p.m.

Here’s the schedule for the three-game series:

• Thursday, July 31: 7:10 PM EDT (FanDuel Sports/MLB Network)
• Friday, August 1: 12:40 PM EDT (FanDuel Sports/MLB Network)
• Saturday, August 2: 7:15 PM EDT (FOX)

Go Braves. Watch out for the Shake and Bake.