Bristol Motor Speedway began the demolition phase of the construction process to host the upcoming MLB Speedway Classic presented by BuildSubmarines.com on June 4.
The historic Major League game between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds will be held inside the Bristol Motor Speedway infield on a specially constructed field on Saturday, August 2 at 7 p.m. (FOX). It will be the first official National or American league game to be held in the state of Tennessee.
Bristol Motor Speedway President and General Manager Jerry Caldwell said there’s tremendous buzz about the game throughout the community, state and extended sports world.
“There’s so much excitement around unique events, and that’s not only from people in this region, but it’s also people outside this region,” Caldwell said. “I was in Nashville this past weekend for the NASCAR race and having conversations there about these unique events that we’re able to host at Bristol and really solidify Bristol as being known as a place to put on unique events. Some of the biggest events in the world.”
Once the demolition process is completed the field construction is expected to being on June 16.
The demolition process has included the following:
* Removal of Sunoco gas tanks – which are not utilized anymore during NASCAR race weekends
* Removal of some race lighting, poles and signage
* Removal of half of the Goodyear building and pit road walls
* Punch list of minor things like painting, taping, gutter clean up, etc.
Once MLB vendors take over on June 16 our BMS crews will be here to assist them in tying into existing infrastructure like fiber connections, water, sewer, electric
Steve Swift, senior vice president of operations for Speedway Motorsports, is overseeing the demolition part and will work alongside MLB crews who will come in to build the baseball diamond and supporting structures, like the dugouts, a press box, and field-side grandstands.
“Once the field is built, that leaves about 30 days to complete the rest of the elements, which include the dugouts, the clubhouses, and more seating,” Swift said. “Everyone’s hoping for good construction weather, but if not, work will continue. Every hour is accounted for, and all things are taken into account, knowing that there will be some float times. There are areas that you can work if it is raining.”
He says this transformation is slightly different than the Battle at Bristol back in 2016.
"Mainly that was a field build more so than a modification to the facility,” Swift explained. “This is a lot of modifications to the facility, so therefore a little different challenge, different comparisons. The field is not as big as football, but we're actually putting in more field than we did before."
Once the game is over, construction crews will race to rebuild the walls and lighting before the Bass Pro Shops Night Race NASCAR Cup Series weekend, September, 11-13.
“We are a racetrack and motorsports is our core business, and we love having these other events, but we've got to make sure that we’re ready for the NASCAR community when it gets back here in September,” Caldwell said.
Yesterday Major League Baseball announced music superstar and Latin sensation Pitbull will join headliner Tim McGraw for a special pregame concert at Bristol Motor Speedway for the MLB Speedway Classic presented by BuildSubmarines.com. Fans can enjoy the performance from their seat and on Bristol’s iconic Colossus video board
To get tickets to the game, upgrades closer to the stage and new, limited ticket options for premium concert viewing are now available at MLB.com/SpeedwayClassic.
