The Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves faced an unusual interruption in their history-making matchup at Bristol Motor Speedway, as rain forced the suspension of MLB’s inaugural Speedway Classic on Saturday night. The game, which marks Major League Baseball’s first-ever contest in Tennessee and the first to be played at a NASCAR venue, was halted in the bottom of the first inning with the Reds leading 1-0.
A record crowd of over 85,000 fans packed the legendary NASCAR track to witness the groundbreaking event. However, persistent showers delayed the start of the game for more than two hours, allowing only a brief glimpse of action before MLB officials suspended play. The game is set to resume on Sunday, August 3, with both teams looking to complete the contest.
Cincinnati struck first on Saturday night, with Matt McLain scoring the opening run in the bottom of the first inning. Reds speedster Elly De La Cruz provided the spark, but his aggressive dash to the plate left an impact beyond the scoreboard. Braves third baseman Austin Riley appeared shaken after diving to tag De La Cruz just before he reached home, sparking early concerns about his health.
Riley had only recently returned from a stint on the injured list with a side injury, and Braves manager Brian Snitker wasn’t willing to take risks. Riley was replaced in the top of the third inning by pinch-hitter Luke Williams.
“Riley was feeling it a little bit,” Snitker told the Fox Sports broadcast, emphasizing that the move was precautionary to avoid aggravating the injury.
When play resumed on Sunday, the offensive momentum shifted. In the top of the second inning, the Braves responded with a two-out rally. Michael Harris and Ozzie Albies each singled to set the stage for Eli White, who is filling in for injured All-Star Ronald Acuña Jr. White delivered in a big way, sending Brent Suter’s changeup over the left-field fence for a three-run home run to give Atlanta a 3-1 lead.
The Reds countered in the bottom half of the inning, narrowing the gap to 3-2. Tyler Stephenson drew a one-out walk, advanced to second on a Ke’Bryan Hayes single, and reached third on a walk to TJ Friedl. McLain then lofted a deep sacrifice fly to center field, bringing Stephenson home to keep Cincinnati within striking distance.
Despite the action on the scoreboard, the initial Saturday night spectacle was cut short, leaving fans eager for a full game at this unique venue. MLB’s first game at Bristol Motor Speedway is part of its effort to expand the sport’s reach with creative, high-capacity settings. The Speedway Classic combines the excitement of professional baseball with the iconic atmosphere of NASCAR’s high-banked oval, creating a one-of-a-kind fan experience.
With the Reds trailing 3-2 in the bottom of the second inning, the conclusion of the game on Sunday will determine who claims victory in MLB’s first-ever contest at a racetrack. Regardless of the outcome, the Speedway Classic has already etched its place in baseball history.
