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A live look at Bristol Motor Speedway, where the first-ever MLB Speedway Classic, between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds, was postponed after an initial two-hour, 17-minute rain delay.
ATLANTA - The highly anticipated "Speedway Classic" between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds was suspended Saturday night due to rain after just one inning of play, disrupting what was meant to be Major League Baseball’s first regular-season game in Tennessee.
What we know:
A crowd of more than 85,000 — a record for a regular-season MLB game — braved two lengthy rain delays at Bristol Motor Speedway before the game was officially halted with the Reds leading 1-0. The game is scheduled to resume Sunday afternoon.
The event blended baseball and NASCAR culture, with Hall of Famers Johnny Bench and Chipper Jones joining drivers Kyle Busch and Chase Elliott for the ceremonial first pitch. Players entered the stadium in pickup trucks, and fans enjoyed live music, a Ferris wheel, and pregame festivities featuring Tim McGraw and Pitbull.
Despite the delays, MLB officials expressed optimism for better weather on Sunday. The game marked a continuation of the league’s effort to bring baseball to unique venues, similar to past games at the "Field of Dreams" site in Iowa.
What's next:
The game is currently scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. ET. It is being broadcaster on FOX.
The suspended game capped an evening that showcased baseball’s growing crossover with other American pastimes — even if the weather had other plans.
A flyover is performed during the national anthem prior to the MLB Speedway Classic: between the Atlanta Braves and the Cincinnati Reds at Bristol Motor Speedway on August 02, 2025 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) Tim McGraw performs prior to the MLB Speedway Classic between the Atlanta Braves and the Cincinnati Reds at Bristol Motor Speedway on August 02, 2025 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) Catcher Tyler Stephenson #37 of the Cincinnati Reds peeks out from the dugout during a rain delay in the MLB Speedway Classic between the Atlanta Braves and the Cincinnati Reds at Bristol Motor Speedway on August 02, 2025 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) A general view of the exterior of the Bristol Motor Speedway prior to the 2025 MLB Speedway Classic presented by BulidSubmarines.com between the Atlanta Braves and the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday, August 2, 2025 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds looks on prior to the 2025 MLB Speedway Classic presented by BulidSubmarines.com between the Atlanta Braves and the Cincinnati Reds at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday, August 2, 2025 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images) Austin Riley #27 of the Atlanta Braves takes the field during the pre-game ceremony prior to the 2025 MLB Speedway Classic presented by BulidSubmarines.com between the Atlanta Braves and the Cincinnati Reds at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday, August 2, 2025 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) Ryan Dempster, Siera Santos, and Kevin Millar poses for a photo prior to the 2025 MLB Speedway Classic presented by BulidSubmarines.com between the Atlanta Braves and the Cincinnati Reds at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday, August 2, 2025 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images) Kyle Busch, Johnny Bench, Chase Elliott and Chipper Jones pose for a photo after the ceremonial first pitch prior to the 2025 MLB Speedway Classic presented by BulidSubmarines.com between the Atlanta Braves and the Cincinnati Reds at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday, August 2, 2025 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) Austin Cox #68 of the Atlanta Braves looks on prior to the 2025 MLB Speedway Classic presented by BulidSubmarines.com between the Atlanta Braves and the Cincinnati Reds at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday, August 2, 2025 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Ryan Beatty/MLB Photos via Getty Images) Drake Baldwin #30 of the Atlanta Braves takes the field during the pre-game ceremony prior to the 2025 MLB Speedway Classic presented by BulidSubmarines.com between the Atlanta Braves and the Cincinnati Reds at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday, August 2, 2025 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) A general view of Bristol Motor Speedway prior to the 2025 MLB Speedway Classic presented by BulidSubmarines.com between the Atlanta Braves and the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday, August 2, 2025 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images) Tim McGraw and Noelvi Marte #16 of the Cincinnati Reds interact prior to the 2025 MLB Speedway Classic presented by BulidSubmarines.com between the Atlanta Braves and the Cincinnati Reds at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday, August 2, 2025 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images) A detail photo of a Major League Baseball-branded Chevrolet Corvette prior to the 2025 MLB Speedway Classic presented by BulidSubmarines.com between the Atlanta Braves and the Cincinnati Reds at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday, August 2, 2025 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Andrew Ferguson/MLB Photos via Getty Images) Marcell Ozuna #20 of the Atlanta Braves poses for a photo with Miguel Andujar #38 of the Cincinnati Reds prior to the 2025 MLB Speedway Classic presented by BulidSubmarines.com between the Atlanta Braves and the Cincinnati Reds at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday, August 2, 2025 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) Starting pitcher Austin Cox #68 of the Atlanta Braves pitches in the rain during the first inning of the MLB Speedway Classic between the Atlanta Braves and the Cincinnati Reds at Bristol Motor Speedway on August 02, 2025 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) Fans sit in the rain during a weather delay prior to the MLB Speedway Classic: between the Atlanta Braves and the Cincinnati Reds at Bristol Motor Speedway on August 02, 2025 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) Fans are seen during the 2025 MLB Speedway Classic presented by BulidSubmarines.com between the Atlanta Braves and the Cincinnati Reds at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday, August 2, 2025 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Ryan Beatty/MLB Photos via Getty Images)