The Speedway Classic is the talk of the baseball world now that the trade deadline is behind. The Atlanta Braves will take on the Reds on a temporary field built inside of Bristol Motor Speedway and fans have flocked to see this go down. It is a really fun idea except for the fact that the weather gods once again are causing chaos with a Braves game.
Early in the day, there was a forecasted chance for some rainy weather, but the odds weren't particularly high that it would interfere with the game itself. Unfortunately, as we got closer to seeing Spencer Strider and Chase Burns take the mound, the forecast got worse and then the tarps came out and unfortunately, the weather took a turn for the worse and now the Speedway Classic is officially in a rain delay.
**UPDATE: 9:09 PM EST**
Our long wait is over. Barring changes in the forecast, the Speedway Classic will start at 9:40 PM EST. In Spencer Strider's place, Atlanta will send Austin Cox to the mound and will go with a bullpen game.
First pitch 9:40 PM ET, we're back baby. pic.twitter.com/GTPGaOC9Bf
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) August 3, 2025
Braves vs. Reds Speedway Classic Rain Delay: When will the game start?
To be abundantly clear, given that this is a marquee and special event of a game that MLB has invested a lot of time and money into, this game is going to get played even if it rains until 3 AM. It would be one thing to bang a regular old regular season game, but this is a game that has already set ticketed attendance records with big time advertising dollars at stake. In short, they are not postponing it unless there is a tornado.
The good news there is that the forecast does clear up as the weather may look rough right now, but the rain should stop between 8 PM EST and 9 PM EST assuming the forecasters are close to correct. One thing to keep an eye on, though, is the condition of the field. This isn't a big league stadium with fully installed drainage, this was meant to be temporary. There is not guarantee whatsoever that there won't be issues with standing water depending on how hard it rains and for how long and that could obviously lengthen any delay.
We will keep this post updated with any and all information about the rain delay as it becomes available including a game start time. Stay tuned, Braves and/or Reds and/or racing fans, because you can bet on this game happening.