Strider (3-8) was scratched after the inaugural rain delay. He is a Knoxville native and a graduate of Christian Academy of Knoxville. Burns, a native of Gallatin, Tennessee, pitched for Tennessee from 2022-23 before transferring to Wake Forest. He was selected with the No. 2 overall pick by the Reds in the 2024 MLB draft.

The MLB Speedway Classic between the Braves and Reds started as a mess on Aug. 2 with delays and rain. It ended as the desired spectacle at Bristol.

Hall of Famers Johnny Bench and Chipper Jones threw out the ceremonial first pitches on Saturday, alongside NASCAR drivers Kyle Busch and Chase Elliott. Country superstar Tim McGraw, son of former MLB pitcher Tug McGraw, and Pitbull performed a pre-game concert before players took a lap around the track.