BRISTOL, Tenn. — The Atlanta Braves secured a 4-2 victory against the Cincinnati Reds in the historic MLB Speedway Classic held at Bristol Motor Speedway on August 3, 2025, overcoming multiple rain delays that pushed the game’s completion into Sunday.
The game, originally scheduled for Saturday, was suspended after just one out in the bottom of the first inning due to persistent rain, which delayed the start by over two hours and ultimately forced the resumption the following day at 1 p.m. ET [2].
The venue was transformed into a unique baseball field with gravel and other materials to convert this famed NASCAR racetrack into “The Last Great Colosseum,” marking the first MLB game ever played in Tennessee [3].
Atlanta’s Eli White was the standout player of the day, delivering two home runs that ultimately secured the win. His first, a three-run homer in the second inning, cleared the outfield wall, the track barrier, and landed beyond the safer barrier, giving the Braves a 3-1 lead. White later hit a leadoff solo homer in the seventh inning, providing the final run of the game [1].
The Braves’ pitching staff was anchored by Hurston Waldrep, a right-hander called up from Triple-A Gwinnett who made the 250-mile trip to Bristol on Sunday morning. Waldrep pitched 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball, earning his first career MLB win in a high-pressure setting. Tyler Kinley and other relievers helped close out the game despite late threats from Cincinnati [1].
The Reds struggled offensively, finishing 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position and leaving 12 runners on base. Their best chance came in the eighth inning when they loaded the bases with two outs after a balk and a walk, but a diving stop by Braves infielder Luke Williams thwarted the Reds’ attempted rally with a force out at second base [1].
This victory allowed Atlanta to clinch the season series against Cincinnati by winning four of six games. The game’s margin of victory, two runs, was notable as it was the first time in six meetings between the two teams the result wasn’t decided by a single run [1].
The game’s atmosphere featured racing-inspired uniforms, festive pregame ceremonies, and fan experiences unique to the Speedway Classic, blending NASCAR traditions with baseball culture. The event’s success marks a new chapter in MLB’s experimentation with playing games at nontraditional sites [2].
The Braves are set to face the Milwaukee Brewers with RHP Erick Fedde expected to start, while the Reds prepare to play the Chicago Cubs with LHP Nick Lodolo on the mound [1].