MLB Odds: Braves Win the Speedway Classic.

MLBNEWS
August 5, 2025

MLB Odds and News

A Historic Night… Postponed, then Resumed with a Record-Setting Crowd

 

What was meant to be a single historic night for both baseball and motorsports turned into a two-day event, ultimately culminating in a memorable victory for the Atlanta Braves. The inaugural MLB Speedway Classic, the first official regular-season MLB game ever held in Tennessee, was suspended in the first inning due to heavy rain on Saturday at the legendary Bristol Motor Speedway.

The delay, however, did little to dampen the enthusiasm of the fans. A record-breaking crowd of 91,032 was in attendance, setting a new record for the highest paid attendance for a regular-season MLB game. This eclipsed the previous record of 84,587, set in 1954 at Cleveland Stadium. Even though many of the attendees only saw a portion of the first inning on Saturday, the vast majority returned to witness history being made on Sunday.

 

A Show Like No Other: Merging Baseball and NASCAR Traditions

 

The event was a spectacular blend of two American passions. Hall of Famers Johnny Bench and Chipper Jones threw out the ceremonial first pitch, a fitting tribute to the competing clubs. They were joined by NASCAR stars Kyle Busch and Chase Elliott, further cementing the crossover theme. The pregame festivities were an event in themselves, featuring live music from Tim McGraw and Pitbull, a 110-foot Ferris wheel, and a one-of-a-kind fan festival.

Once the game resumed, the unique setting was highlighted in fun and creative ways. After a home run, a special “home run car”—a Chevrolet Corvette fitted with a home run flag—took a lap around the track in celebration. The grounds crew even wore uniforms resembling NASCAR pit crews’ fire suits. The Cincinnati Reds‘ popular “Redzilla” monster truck also took to the track during the third and seventh inning stretches, shooting out toy balls to the crowd, albeit at a much lower speed than a typical race car.

 

Last-Minute Changes: A Bullpen Game and an Impressive Debut

 

The rain delay prompted significant changes to the Braves’ pitching plans. Saturday’s scheduled starter, Spencer Strider, was pulled due to medical precautions as he continues to recover from elbow surgery. This led to a last-minute call-up for Hurston Waldrep, a promising rookie pitcher from the Braves’ Triple-A affiliate in Gwinnett. The 23-year-old right-hander was told he’d be pitching early Sunday morning, leading to a 4:45 a.m. wake-up call and a four-hour car ride to Bristol Motor Speedway.

The journey was well worth it. Waldrep delivered an impressive performance in his first big league appearance of the season, pitching 5.2 innings and allowing just one run to earn his first career MLB win. It was a remarkable turnaround for a player who had struggled in a previous short stint in the majors and had a 4.42 ERA in Triple-A this season.

 

Final Game Moments: Eli White Steals the Show

 

The Reds held a brief 1-0 lead thanks to a first-inning RBI single by Austin Hays on Saturday. However, once play resumed, the Braves’ offense took control, thanks in large part to the unexpected heroics of outfielder Eli White.

In the second inning, White blasted a three-run home run off Reds reliever Brent Suter. It was the first-ever home run hit at Bristol Motor Speedway, with the ball clearing the outfield wall and bouncing off the safer barrier on the track itself. White wasn’t finished, adding a solo shot in the seventh inning to complete his second career multi-homer game and secure all four of the Braves’ RBIs in their 4-2 victory. The Reds’ offense struggled to capitalize on opportunities, leaving 12 runners on base throughout the game.

 

Betting at the Speedway: Unique Challenges and Opportunities

 

The Speedway Classic was a new frontier for MLB betting. The massive outfield dimensions, with a dead center field over 400 feet from home plate, created an environment that favored doubles and triples over home runs. However, Eli White defied those expectations with his powerful shots.

The last-minute pitching changes for both teams also made for a highly dynamic live betting market, with MLB odds adjusting in real-time as the game unfolded. The local factor, with native Tennessee players like Strider and Burns, also added a layer of emotional investment for bettors and fans alike.

 

Betting-Relevant Fun Facts

  • Attendance King: The final attendance of 91,032 not only broke the regular-season record but also ranks as the fourth-highest attendance for any MLB game ever, behind only a few World Series games at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in 1959.
  • Home Run History: Eli White’s home runs were the first and second ever hit at a NASCAR track, making him a permanent piece of baseball trivia. His first home run traveled a projected 411 feet, a testament to the power needed to clear the massive outfield.
  • The Pitching Prodigy: Hurston Waldrep’s performance in his first win was remarkably efficient, requiring just 75 pitches to get through 5.2 innings.
  • Offensive Struggles: The Reds’ inability to score with runners in scoring position (going 1-for-8 in those situations) was a key factor in the final results.

 

The Show Went On, and History Was Made

 

Though an unplanned pause stole the spotlight from the initial Saturday night event, the Braves vs. Reds matchup at Bristol Motor Speedway still delivered on its promise of an unforgettable spectacle. With fresh excitement, unexpected heroes, and a blend of baseball and motorsports traditions, the MLB Speedway Classic proved to be a creative and successful event that will be remembered for years to come.

 

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