SMI’s Bold Bristol Speedway Overhaul Sparks NASCAR Fan Frenzy

The half-mile concrete track at Bristol Motor Speedway is known for hosting NASCAR events since 1961, and remains one of the iconic venues on the Cup Series calendar. However, with the changing dynamics of the sporting world, the track hasn’t been limited to hosting NASCAR events. Back in 2016, Bristol was converted into a football stadium for a college football game between Virginia Tech and Tennessee. The event known as ‘The Battle in Bristol’ saw a turnout of 156,990 people and marked the beginning of using the racetrack as a multi-purpose facility that had more character than just being a racetrack. Fast forward to 2025, and the Thunder Valley will be converted into a baseball pitch, this time to host a regular-season game between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds.

In early 2025, Bristol Motor Speedway announced a temporary shutdown of racing operations to accommodate Major League Baseball’s (MLB) inaugural “Speedway Classic,” scheduled for August 2, 2025. This unprecedented event requires a 30-day construction window beginning July 1, 2025, during which a portion of the infield will be transformed into a regulation-sized diamond. In order to create space for the outfield and necessary infrastructure, the Goodyear building, located between Turns 1 and 2, and several pit walls, will be dismantled.

And going by the updates by Speedway on social media platforms, the dismantling process has begun. “The Goodyear building from the Turn 1/2 side of the infield undergoes teardown to make way for the outfield fence for the MLB Speedway Classic .” This update by SMI-owned track sparked a discussion online, and fans were concerned if this structure would be rebuilt once the MLB event is concluded.

The Goodyear building from the Turn 1/2 side of the infield undergoes teardown to make way for the outfield fence for the MLB Speedway Classic. #SpeedwayClassic25 pic.twitter.com/1EyKshAXyx

— Bristol Motor Speedway (@ItsBristolBaby) June 3, 2025

“Well, that sure is disappointing,” commented a race fan on X. To this, the Bristol Motor Speedway had a positive response, clarifying, “We are rebuilding it after the Baseball event.” SMI took ownership of the racetrack in 1996 and has been striving to improve it ever since. They had a massive business plan to go with it, which is coming to light with these new cross-sport collaborations. Reconstruction promises in the past have led to heartbreak for NASCAR fans; take Auto Club Speedway as an example. But, as far as Bristol goes, there are no alarming signs; rather, the race fans are excited about the special crossover event.

Fans predict Bristol might get a new infield facility

Fans were quick to highlight the financial savvy behind SMI’s partnership with MLB, noting that “Somebody earlier posted saying it was dumb for SMI to do it. But it’s genius. They just got the MLB to foot the bill for a new infield building,” and indeed, MLB is covering the costs of demolishing the Goodyear building and constructing the temporary baseball diamond, allowing SMI to modernize its infield without tapping its own capital budget.

Another fan chimed in, suggesting that SMI has big plans to reconstruct the infield area of the track. But, with the collaboration with MLB, they have essentially hit a home run in getting the demolition crew free of cost. “I supposedly heard Bristol was planning to redo the entire infield in a few years anyway. Bristol just got basically the MLB to pay for a demolition crew early.”

Others expressed amazement that the “Speedway Classic” isn’t a multi-game series—”I’m still shocked this isn’t a 3-game series. I’d camp out and tailgate for a ball game just like I would a NASCAR weekend.” Well, fans were prepared to enjoy the entire weekend like they do with a NASCAR race, and given that Bristol has the Swaggerty’s Farm Tailgate Zone along with free parking, it would’ve made for a great 3-day festivities. But MLB has a different schedule than that of NASCAR.

This crossover is a huge win for all parties involved here. NASCAR has been seeking attention from sports fans who are not aware of stock car racing. With this collaboration in place and Bristol works as a perfect bridge in connecting two separate fan bases and sporting cultures. “They want a new building, the MLB wants to play at Bristol. MLB pays, MLB gets exposure, SMI gets a new building for free. Win for everyone.”

What are your thoughts about the major overhaul that is shaping up Bristol Motor Speedway?

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