Bristol Motor Speedway hosted the MLB Speedway Classic. It set a record as the first American or National League game in Tennessee history. The game was a pretty typical Atlanta Braves/Cincinnati Reds matchup. It drew an amazing standing-room only crowd of 85,798, setting a new paid attendance record that broke the old mark of 84,587 that had stood since September 12, 1954 when the New York Yankees played at Cleveland Stadium.
With over 1500 attendees, the event exceeded expectations and set an all-time high for attendance. This incredible turnout speaks to the growing passion for Major League Baseball in markets beyond the usual suspects. The speedway, with a racing capacity of 146,000, would have still held more than 90,000 fans even if many sections were cut out. To MLB’s credit, they didn’t attempt to move every single ticket at the torrid pace of the speedway. For both teams and the league, the turnout was still a historic and impressive milestone.
To set the scene, before the game even started, country music superstar Tim McGraw had treated the crowd to an in-person concert, contributing to the celebratory energy. The crowning touch came with a military flyover as the national anthem got underway, adding a monumental quality to the whole event. That excitement quickly turned sour when rain halted play during the first inning. During the strange delay, fans noticed Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson lurking from behind the dugout. At the same time, Atlanta Braves slugger Matt Olson took advantage of the opportunity to take a big yawn.
Outside the speedway, attendees enjoyed a range of entertainment options including a 110-foot Ferris wheel, food trucks, live music performances, pitching tunnels, and batting cages. All these chrome-plated spectacles helped create a circus atmosphere that captivated children and adults alike.
Brandyn Payton, who with his wife Kelsey were early arrivals, came out to enjoy the festivities Friday. Their spirited game of cards while at their campsite represents the spontaneous and colorful community spirit shared by fans at this historic happening. The contest was a display of Tennessee’s love of the game. It especially proved again how sport brings together such a wide variety of people to create an incredible sense of family.