Bristol Speedway Prepares for NASCAR After MLB Success: Time Trial Challenge

As soon as the Atlanta Braves and the Cincinnati Reds finished their baseball game on the diamond inside the infield of the Bristol Motor Speedway, a new clock began to run. The “Last Great Colosseum” must be transformed rapidly, leaving behind the MLB Speedway Classic, to be ready for the return of NASCAR to the historic racetrack, with a playoff race scheduled for September 13. The first MLB regular season game in the state of Tennessee set a record with a paid attendance of 91,032 spectators, but now it must return to its roots in the world of motorsports.

It’s difficult, but they are things we like. It presents us with a challenge and we like challenges.

Steve Swift, Senior Vice President of Speedway Motorsports Operations

After transforming into a baseball field for a game between the Braves and the Reds, Bristol Motor Speedway must return to its normal state in time for a NASCAR race on September 13. Major League Baseball used BaAM to create everything from the locker rooms for the Braves and Reds, complete with showers, training and fitness rooms, offices for coaches and trainers, and batting cages. Stands were built along both baselines with broadcast booths. The pit walls were removed and must now be rebuilt. The transformation into a baseball diamond on the infield required 17,500 tons of gravel to level the infield, then 340 tons of Pennsylvania clay for the playing surface. Swift explained that pouring concrete walls takes time, and then more time for it to cure properly.

As soon as the last release is launched, the last hit is connected, the teams do their thing, take care of the post-game, the pads will begin to come off the wall, and they will work overnight to basically start dismantling so we can reassemble for the NASCAR race.

Steve Swift, Senior Vice President of Operations at Speedway Motorsports

Part of the gravel will be used in Bristol parking lots. Swift mentioned that they have found groups to help use some of the materials to help people who are still recovering from the damage caused by Hurricane Helene. That includes 2×4 lumber and plywood used for the bleachers.

Many things will be used well in terms of reconstruction. We just need to get them out of the way so we can put asphalt and concrete back.

Steve Swift, Senior Vice President of Speedway Motorsports Operations

This new renovation program has a couple of days built in for protection. The target date for completion is September 7th.

There may still be some paint drying when the Goodyear haulers arrive, but we’re definitely targeting (September 7th).

Steve Swift, Speedway Motorsports Senior Vice President of Operations

Bristol hosted a college football game in 2016 that drew 156,990 spectators. Now, the NHL could be in Bristol’s future after Sportico reported Friday that league officials would be reviewing how the racetrack handled Major League Baseball.

We have shown with soccer and now with baseball that things can take place and we can do things that no one would think of.

Steve Swift, Senior Vice President of Speedway Motorsports