My Honest Recap of the MLB Speedway Classic: Reds vs. Braves in Bristol

When Major League Baseball announced the Speedway Classic, I was pumped. My favorite team playing at Bristol? Incredible. The day, however, didn’t really live up to the hype.

First Stop: Fan Zone

We were up super early to make the drive to Bristol. The Fan Zone was our first stop, but honestly, it was underwhelming. There were a few fun photo ops, so we grabbed some pictures, but it didn’t really set the tone I was hoping for. It really needed to be at least twice the size. There was very limited food and the activations at each booth had super long lines. Next time, they need more dedicated concession stands and more space.

Inside the Speedway: Exploring, Merch, and BP

We got into Bristol Motor Speedway around 2:15 p.m., and this part was actually really cool. I felt like they had a lot of merch stands, and I picked up a program and a pin for my collection. I also did what I always do at a ballpark: grabbed a hot dog and a Diet Coke. This is important. I’m really glad I did this early.

Then we headed over to watch batting practice, and this ended up being the highlight of my entire day. I watched the Reds take BP and even snagged a ball. I was thrilled. This was certainly the best part of the day.

Pregame Festivities: Country, Pitbull, and Chevy Trucks

The pregame kicked off with a Tim McGraw concert, with an appearance from Pitbull. Wild combo, but fun energy. After that, the pregame festivities began, including all the players riding around the track in Chevy trucks. That part was actually awesome. Seeing Andrew Abbott fly the American flag from the back of a truck was such a cool moment and gave me chills. There was also a flyover.

Then… the Rain Came

And this is where everything went downhill. We were hit with a two-hour rain delay, and it was absolutely miserable. Everyone was crowded into the concourse, soaking wet and just kind of stuck. It was one of those moments where you try to stay positive, but there’s not much you can do.

A Glimmer of Hope — and Then a Postponement

Eventually, things started back up. The Braves batted in the top of the first, and Chase Burns threw a 1-2-3 inning. The Reds came up in the bottom of the first and scored a run, and it finally felt like the game might happen. But then the rain started again. The tarp came back out, and not long after, they postponed the game.

Final Thoughts

I have been looking forward to this game since it was announced last year. There’s nothing anyone can do about the weather, and I understand that. But it was still a really tough and disappointing experience. I wanted so badly for it to live up to the hype, and it just didn’t. I’m still really glad I went, and a sad day at the ballpark (speedway?) is really better than just about any other day, right? Here’s hoping future events go a little smoother!