The Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds made history Saturday night in NASCAR-inspired uniforms at Bristol Motor Speedway, the site of Major League Baseball’s first-ever game in Tennessee. But after just one inning and two rain delays, the Speedway Classic was suspended with the Reds leading 1–0.
Play will resume Sunday at 1 p.m. ET on FOX.
Kid watches batting practice before the MLB Speedway Classic baseball game at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tenn., Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Unveiled ahead of the event, both teams wore custom NASCAR-inspired uniforms that blended baseball tradition with motorsport aesthetics. The Braves’ navy jerseys feature red flames under the cap brim and subtle “VMAX” lettering inside the tomahawk. The Reds wore bright white kits with black-and-white checkered details on their caps, helmets, and bats—a nod to the finish line.
The unique look is part of MLB’s broader Speedway Classic branding, continuing the league’s trend of high-concept games at nontraditional venues, following the Field of Dreams Game in Iowa and the London Series in the U.K.
Tyler Stephenson won the Speedway Classic. Custom sneaks by @stadiumck. pic.twitter.com/Fkx6kEr5Bh
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) August 2, 2025
Unveiled July 21, the new jerseys, caps, and helmets draw inspiration from the world of motorsports.
JUST IN: The Braves and Reds have revealed exclusive uniforms for the Speedway Classic 🏁
The Braves cap features flames on the top of the visor, while the Reds cap has checkered racing flags across its visor
The jersey numbers reflect the spirit of numbers on racecars
The 2… pic.twitter.com/SrH5Ck5Rbu
— MLB (@MLB) July 21, 2025
Flames and checkered flags blaze across visors, while racecar-style number fonts give the Nike uniforms a sleek, speed-driven aesthetic. The Braves’ midnight navy look features red flames on the cap brim and subtle ‘VMAX’ lettering inside their iconic tomahawk logo. The Reds’ bright white kits feature black-and-white checkered trim on caps, helmets, and bats—a nod to the finish line.
The special-edition look is part of MLB’s Speedway Classic branding. The event marks the league’s latest experiment in spectacle-driven regular season games, following matchups at the Field of Dreams in Iowa and London Stadium in the U.K. With Fox broadcasting the nationally televised game, Bristol Motor Speedway will transform from a high-banked racetrack into a full-scale ballfield, complete with fan zones, batting cages, a Ferris wheel, and a pregame concert.
Reddit Reacts to Speedway Classic Uniforms
Fans on Reddit weighed in with humor, sarcasm, and surprise as MLB and NASCAR worlds collided at Bristol:
One fan suggested raising the stakes even higher:
“I still say it should be played during a race.”
View on Reddit ›
Several comments poked fun at the commercial nature of both sports:
“Not nearly enough ad patches for this to be NASCAR.”
View on Reddit ›
Some skeptics admitted the uniforms grew on them:
“It’s amazing how quickly some flames on a hat can make me change my mind on something I’ve thought was pretty unnecessary for the past year. I’m in!”
View on Reddit ›
Others leaned all the way into the crossover energy, turning Elly De La Cruz into a NASCAR signal:
“De La Cruz has brought out the yellow flag.”
View on Reddit ›
And in classic Reddit form, one commenter renamed the Reds and Braves rosters with NASCAR flair:
“Jurickson Profarcar
Ronald AcuñaEarnhardt Jr.
Ozzie Rickey Bob Albies
Elly De la Cruz Cruise
Matt McClainQueen
Spencer Steer Steer”
View on Reddit ›
“These guys are going to have that memory of playing at Bristol — it’s going to be a one-of-a-kind thing,” said former Reds All-Star and MLB Network analyst Sean Casey. A veteran of big-stage exhibitions, including the 2008 Red Sox-Dodgers game at the L.A. Coliseum that drew over 115,000 fans, Casey sees this crossover as a cultural bridge between two passionate fanbases.
Still, for those in the stands and watching on TV, the combination of big-league baseball and high-octane visuals promises a unique viewing experience. The entire Speedway Classic uniform package—produced by Nike, New Era, and Rawlings—is now available through MLBShop.com, Fanatics, and team stores at Truist Park and Great American Ball Park.
Ozzie Albies on Keeping the Speedway Classic a Surprise
“I want to keep it a surprise!”
Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies joined SportsCenter to talk about the MLB Speedway Classic at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Racing veterans have already chimed in with excitement. NASCAR driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. said he plans to watch the game and encouraged the players to take a walk up the steeply banked track to appreciate what makes Bristol a “bullring.”
“Hopefully if they get one over the wall, kind of see where that ball ends up landing,” Stenhouse said. “It’s a really cool venue and something I’ll be looking forward to watching.”
Fox analyst and two-time Daytona 500 winner Michael Waltrip echoed the sentiment: “You can barely climb up [the banking], and it’s condensed down to a half-mile track… It’s just crazy how precise and how technical you have to be to be successful there.”
The Speedway Classic will be the first MLB game played in Tennessee and offers both franchises a rare chance to connect with a broader, cross-sport audience. For fans of baseball, NASCAR, or just a good summer spectacle, it’s shaping up to be a night to remember.
Updated When and Where To Watch
The Braves vs. Reds Speedway Classic will resume Sunday, August 3, 2025, at 1 p.m. ET from Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee.
The game will be broadcast nationally on FOX.
Gates open at 10 a.m. ET.
Tickets from Saturday’s suspended game will be honored.
