BRISTOL, Tenn. It was a red flag for Major League Baseball at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday night. The Speedway Cla sic between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds was suspended in the first inning because of rain, soaking a record-breaking crowd for the first regular-season game in Tenne see. The plan is to resume the game on Sunday afternoon. The first delay at the historic bullring of a racetrack came after the ceremonial first pitch featuring a pair of Hall of Famers in Johnny Bench and Chipper Jones, joined by NASCAR drivers Kyle Busch and Chase Elliott. The second with one out in the bottom of the first led to the game being pushed back a day, much like a red flag in motorsports. A tarp covers the field, a sign announces the postponement of the game and fireworks explode at the MLB Speedway Cla sic between the Atlanta Braves and the Cincinnati Reds at Bristol Motor Speedway on August 02, 2025. Getty Images Matt McLain #9 of the Cincinnati Reds leads off second base as shortstop Nick Allen #9 of the Atlanta Braves waits for the pitch during the MLB Speedway Cla sic. Getty Images Fans who stuck out the first delay of 2 hours, 17 minutes started heading Naoyuki Uwasawa Jersey toward the exits before the game was postponed with the Reds holding a 1-0 lead. Explore More It was an unwelcome detour for the long-planned event mixing baseball and NASCAR. Were going to suspend tonights game. We are optimistic for a better weather forecast for tomorrow, Michael Hill, MLBs senior vice president of on-field operations, told Fox. The rain made life difficult on the players before the suspension. A bat flew out of TJ Friedls hands as he led off for the Reds. A pitcher seemed to catch his footing going to cover first base. A member of the grounds crew rakes the infield dirt during the first inning. Randy Sartin-Imagn Images The MLB Speedway Cla sic was first announced nearly a year ago as part of Commi sioner Rob Manfreds push to take MLB to places where baseball isnt played every day live. MLB played a game at the Field of Dreams movie site in Iowa in both 2021 and 2022. Alabama and North Carolina, too. Reds pitcher Andrew Abbott showed up Saturday afternoon at Bristol wearing a cut-off version of a NASCAR race suit. Born in Lynchburg, Virginia, Abbott said he wanted something to wear in for a special game. I grew up around NASCAR, Abbott said. Just went on eBay and found a couple options, and luckily that was the one that arrived in time. I had a couple of backups. I know who Rusty Wallace is too, so I actually do know the backstory behind it. Braves pitcher Austin Cox prepares to throw against the Reds during the first inning of the Speedway Cla sic game at Bristol Motor Speedway. Randy Sartin-Imagn Images Fans watch as rain falls during the first inning of the Speedway Cla sic game between the Reds and the Braves at Bristol Motor Speedway. Randy Sartin-Imagn Images Long before the fans departed in the rain, they were entertained by a 110-foot Ferris wheel, to go along with food trucks, live music, pitching tunnels and batting cages. Fans also had a chance for photos with the Commi sioners Trophy, and Clydesdales outside the historic racetrack. Inside, star Tim McGraw performed and was joined by Pitbull. Before the weather moved over the area, players stood in the back of pickup trucks with their numbers emblazoned on the side and rode around the half-mile racetrack. Some used their phones to document the moment. For introductions, the Braves and Reds walked between a pair of cars decked out in Atlanta and Cincinnati colors. Tim McGraw performs prior to the MLB Speedway Cla sic between the Braves and the Reds at Bristol Motor Speedway on Aug. 2, 2025 in Bristol, Tenne see. Getty Images Then the tarp came out as rain that had been falling around Bristol much of Saturday turned heavy and delayed the start. The first delay led to the Braves switching starting pitchers. Spencer Strider, who grew up in nearby Knoxville, got a bigger ovation than Reds starter Chase Burns, who is from Hendersonville and played at the University of Tenne see. The Reds stuck with Burns despite the delay. Strider warmed up. The Braves chose not to risk his third start in this situation coming off a second elbow surgery. The rain stopped long enough to take off the tarp and start the game. Players are introduced before the MLB Speedway Cla sic baseball game between the Braves and the Reds at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tenn. AP Michael Waltrip, who raced plenty at Bristol, restarted the festivities by quoting his brother Darrell: Boogity, boogity, boogity. Lets play baseball boys! Atlanta went down in order in the top of the first inning. But there was another rain delay after Austin Hays hit an RBI single for Cincinnati in the bottom half. MLB didnt try to sell every ticket inside the speedway that drew 156,990 for the Battle of Bristol college football game in 2016. The track with a racing capacity of 146,000 could host 90,000 or more even with sections blocked off. Officials announced Monday more than 85,000 tickets had been sold topping the previous paid attendance of 84,587 set Sept. 12, 1954, when Cleveland Stadium hosted the New York Yankees. The field is covered up during a rain delay at the MLB Speedway Cla sic baseball game. AP A batter has to clear 400 feet to hit anything out of center field, 375 in the alleys and 330 down each base line. Pulling a ball down the line raises the prospect of a ball bouncing off the racetrack beyond the outfield wall. Honestly, my first thought I cant believe they did all this for one game, Braves first baseman Matt Olson said of his first visit to Bristol. To be able to set all this up, get a playing surface ready, set the stands up in order to have the proper viewing, its pretty incredible. Steven Wright Jersey