Kyle Busch and Chase Elliott, usually known for their speed on the NASCAR circuit, surprised fans by joining the broadcast team for the MLB Speedway Classic held at Bristol Motor Speedway this weekend. While the Atlanta Braves faced the Cincinnati Reds, the rain-soaked environment set the stage for this unusual crossover, bringing Busch and Elliott’s presence into the baseball spotlight.
Following their qualifying runs in the Corn 350 race in Iowa, Busch and Elliott quickly made their way to Bristol to participate in the baseball event, which was originally scheduled inside the iconic NASCAR track’s infield. However, persistent rain halted the game after just one inning, delaying the remainder until Sunday. Despite the weather, game attendees enjoyed an unexpected addition as the two racing stars became part of the pregame excitement.
Elliott, showing his loyalty to the Braves, teamed with Busch during the ceremonial first pitch, where Braves legendary Chipper Jones pitched to Elliott and Reds great Johnny Bench threw to Busch. Beyond that moment, rain interruptions kept both drivers in the FOX broadcast booth alongside Joe Davis and John Smoltz, delivering unique commentary while the weather postponed the game’s resumption.
Reflecting on the scale of the event staged at a typically racing-focused venue, Elliott shared admiration for the venue’s versatility. He noted,
For us, Bristol feels so small, you know, on the race track, but the fact that you can fit a baseball field in here and do it to this magnitude and make it look this great…they’ve really done well in my opinion,
—Chase Elliott, NASCAR Driver
The game had been set for a 7:15 p.m. start, promising a pitching duel between Braves star Spencer Strider, a 2023 Cy Young finalist, and Reds’ prospect Chase Burns, who holds the No. 2 overall spot in the 2024 MLB Draft.
Kyle Busch Faces Setback After Iowa Crash Before Bristol Race
Kyle Busch’s weekend was complicated not only by his participation in the baseball crossover but also by a significant crash during practice in Iowa. Prior to the accident, Busch was posted as the second fastest, but losing control between Turns 4 and 1 caused him to collide violently with the wall.
Video footage showed Busch’s No. 8 car losing grip and hitting the barrier nose-first, with smoke and flames erupting from beneath the hood. NASCAR officials confirmed that Busch was evaluated at the infield care center and cleared with no injuries. Nonetheless, the damage meant Busch must use a backup car for Sunday’s race.
Under NASCAR regulations, switching to a backup vehicle requires starting at the rear of the field. This development places Busch at a disadvantage as he tries to recover in the playoff standings, which have already been stretched by Bubba Wallace’s recent win in Indianapolis.
Discussing the crash with reporters, Busch provided insight into the challenging conditions he faced on track, stating,
Anywhere I would push it a little harder, I would feel rear chatter,
and added,
I felt really good about the changes that we made there, came out of Turn 4 really hot and heavy and hard on it and went off into Turn 1 with too much trust and chattered the right rear and wrecked it. I’m not real sure how to find more trust when you feel something good in one corner, and it’s not there in the next.
—Kyle Busch, NASCAR Driver
What the Crossover Event Indicates for NASCAR and MLB Fans
The collaboration between Busch, Elliott, and the MLB broadcast team at Bristol represents a notable blending of two major American sports, engaging fans from both racing and baseball communities. Their involvement added an extra layer of entertainment during the rain delay and highlighted how traditionally separate sporting arenas can intersect creatively.
For Busch, the crossover weekend was a balance of entertainment and adversity, given his crash and challenges ahead in the NASCAR playoffs. Meanwhile, the event itself showcased Bristol Motor Speedway’s flexibility as a venue capable of hosting significant events beyond racing, expanding its cultural footprint.
Looking ahead, Busch’s necessity to start at the back of the pack on Sunday increases the urgency for a win if he hopes to maintain playoff contention. As for MLB, the delayed baseball game will resume Sunday, continuing the pitched showdown anticipated between Strider and Burns on a unique stage.
