Speedway Classic weather update: Reds vs. Braves forecast and backup plans

Update: The Speedway Classic has been suspended and is scheduled to resume on Sunday, August 3, 2025 at 1 p.m. ET.

Baseball fans have been revving up for the Speedway Classic that's set to take place on Saturday night in Tennessee at the historic Bristol Motor Speedway. Unfortunately, the forecast doesn't call for sunny skies, and rain may threaten the upcoming game between the Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves.

According to The Weather Channel, a few showers could creep into the forecast this afternoon. The rain could arrive in the late-afternoon/ early-evening hours, but it looks as if any and all precipitation will be out of the area by the 9 o'clock-hour.

Speedway Classic weather update: Reds vs. Braves forecast and backup plans

The Reds and Braves are set to begin the game at 7:15 p.m. ET. Though rain could delay the start of the game, it seems rather unlikely that the event would be postponed altogether. However, both the Reds and Braves have a built-in off-day on Sunday, August 3 in the event that Saturday's game is shelved due to inclement weather.

The league has announced that more than 85,000 tickets have been sold for the event, which will make it the highest attendance ever for a Major League Baseball game. It's also the first ever MLB regular season game set to take place in the state of Tennessee. The Volunteer State shares fans from both Reds Country and Braves Country, so there's sure to be a mixture of red and navy in the stands for Saturday's game.

The Speedway Classic will also feature two starting pitchers with Tennessee-ties. Reds starter Chase Burns currently lives in Tennessee and went to school for two seasons at the University of Tennesse in Knoxville. Braves' right-hander Spencer Strider also has roots in the Knoxville area, having attended high school at Christian Academy of Knoxville.

There's also plenty of star-power present for Saturday's contest between the Reds and Braves. Though Ronald Acuña Jr. is on the IL, Reds' superstar shortstop Elly De La Cruz will be in Cincinnati's starting lineup. The two-time All-Star is one of the most popular players in the league, and he's sure to draw all the cameras once the game gets underway. All-Stars Matt Olson and Ozzie Albies will be the Braves' lineup.

Though there's a chance of rain the forecast, thankfully MLB has a contingency in place. The hope, of course, is that the game gets underway right on time, and the Reds are able to take the series finale from the Braves.

Cincinnati needs a win to keep pace with the San Diego Padres in the NL Wild Card chase. Entering Saturday's game, the Reds are 3½ games back of the Friars with just under two months left to play.

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