When Major League Baseball announced the 2025 MLB Speedway Classic between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds, all eyes turned to an unlikely venue: Bristol Motor Speedway. Known for roaring engines, 28-degree banked turns, and a seating capacity of more than 150,000, the NASCAR racetrack isn’t exactly synonymous with baseball. But thanks to AstroTurf’s technical and installation teams, the impossible is becoming reality.
In just 10 days, Bristol’s oval raceway is being transformed into a baseball diamond. The logistics are monumental. Over 15 tractor trailers of materials are staged into a stadium designed for cars, not cargo.
“We’re coming down a nearly 30% incline with heavy equipment,” said Joey Alexander, General Manager of AstroTurf’s Southeast Region. “Tight quarters. Limited access. It’s one of the most complex installs we’ve ever tackled.”
The process began on June 23, immediately after NASCAR events wrapped up. Over 15,000 tons of granite and fill were brought in to flatten the field for the foundation. Layer by layer, a sub-base was constructed from scratch, complete with drainage infrastructure.
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