by Natalea Hillen

Sun, August 3rd 2025 at 9:11 PM

Updated Sun, August 3rd 2025 at 9:20 PM

WCYB photo.

BRISTOL, Tenn. (WCYB) — More than 85,000 people are expected to attend the Speedway Classic Saturday night. Crowds gathered in the fan zone for some pre-game excitement.

News Five’s Natalea Hillen continued our team coverage to give us an update on what the fan zone looked like.

A birds eye view of the thousands of Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds fans gathered for the Speedway Classic Fan Zone.

Atlanta Braves fan, Jay Sutton drove 6 hours from the Atlanta area and told me he is ready for the big game at the Last Great Coliseum.

It’s exciting because I knew Bill Elliott, he used to race here and I’ve always wanted to come here. just the roar of the crowd and great baseball and hopefully the Braves win, said Atlanta Braves fan, Jay Sutton.

And Cincinnati Reds fan, Tony Stewart is from the Indianapolis area and is here with his family. He has been a Reds fan his entire life and told me he is excited for the ball game at the speedway.

It’s going to be pretty exciting. My son was fortunate enough to race our car here. Last April, and we got to come back and visit, which is pretty amazing. Lets go reds 1, 2 ,3 Reds!, said Cincinnati Reds fan, Tony Stewart.

The fan zone includes live music, the Dale Earnhardt Jr. Budweiser show car. Official merchandise, food, batting cages and family fun.

Atlanta Braves fan, Chris Benge is from Elkin, North Carolina and said his wife surprised him with tickets to the speedway classic on this day.

She said guess what? I’m oh lord what have you done, she said we’re going to the ball game. This is a dream come true to me, said Atlanta Braves fan, Chris Benge.

And Cincinnati Reds fan, Sheila Langner is from right outside of Cincinnati and told News Five’s Natalea Hillen.

It’s amazing having our team picked. I can’t wait to see ally, Johnny Bench. Just to be a part of history is exciting. Cincinnati Red’s baby woooo!, said Cincinnati Reds fan, Sheila Langner.