A ballpark built into a racetrack. Over 91,000 fans. And a former Clemson Tiger making baseball history. The MLB Speedway Classic at Bristol Motor Speedway had all the makings of a spectacle, but it was Atlanta Braves outfielder Eli White who delivered the most unforgettable moment of all.
White, a graduate of Clemson University and native of upstate South Carolina, turned a one-of-a-kind baseball event into his personal highlight reel with a two-home-run performance that lifted the Braves to a 4–2 win over the Cincinnati Reds in front of a record-breaking crowd.
A Game Unlike Any Other
The Speedway Classic marked Major League Baseball’s first-ever game inside a NASCAR venue and the first MLB game played in the state of Tennessee. With over 91,000 in attendance—setting a new MLB regular-season record—it was clear this wasn’t your average summer matchup.
Originally slated for Saturday night, the game was suspended after just four outs due to heavy rain. When play resumed Sunday afternoon, the Braves trailed 1–0 and needed a spark.
They found it in Eli White.
Making History in the Heart of NASCAR Country
White stepped to the plate in the second inning and crushed a 411-foot, three-run home run to left field—the first home run ever hit in the unique confines of Bristol Motor Speedway. As the ball cleared the wall, a “Home Run Car”—a Chevrolet Corvette decorated in Braves branding—took a lap around the infield, drawing cheers from a roaring crowd.
But White wasn’t done yet. In the seventh inning, he stepped in again and launched a solo homer, this time off Reds reliever Scott Barlow. With that blast, White became the first player in MLB history to hit two home runs inside a NASCAR track.
Clemson Roots, Big League Moments
White’s path to the Braves started in the Clemson orange and purple. A standout for the Tigers, he was drafted in 2016 and made his big-league debut with the Texas Rangers before joining Atlanta in 2022. While he’s often flown under the radar, his performance in Bristol cemented his name in the history books.
As of this season, White has been posting some of the best numbers of his career, including now six home runs and 24 RBIs in a limited role. But none of those moments compared to what he did on Sunday.
For Clemson fans, White’s performance was another proud moment for a program that continues to send talent to the pros—and it served as a reminder that big moments often come from the most unexpected places.
Final Score: Braves 4, Reds 2 — and Eli White, MVP of the Moment
In a game defined by its spectacle and scale, Eli White provided the heart. With two home runs, a new place in the record books, and a performance that will live on in baseball lore, he turned an experimental event at Bristol Motor Speedway into an unforgettable classic.
And for those who followed his journey from Clemson to the show, Sunday was just another reason to believe that Eli White will continue to be a special player in the big leagues while representing his Clemson roots.
