Bristol Motor Speedway has crossed the finish line on its latest spectacle.
The MLB Speedway Classic concluded on Aug. 3 with the Atlanta Braves beating the Cincinnati Reds 4-2 after the game was halted due to rain in the first inning on Aug. 2. It set a record as intended for the most-attended MLB regular-season game in history with an announced crowd of 91,032, as Bristol delivered again with a big event nine years after the Battle at Bristol between Tennessee football and Virginia in 2016.
But what is next for the racetrack that prides itself on being a venue for other events?
Here are three events that could come to Bristol Motor Speedway next:
WWE is a logical partner for Bristol Motor Speedway
There might be no more natural partner for Bristol Motor Speedway than the WWE, the entertainment giant that has a fervent following much as NASCAR does. Plop a stage in the middle below the center-hung Colossus and let the madness roll for a SummerSlam event or WrestleMania.
The WWE has put on events in massive settings before, including WrestleMania 41 in April at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, and WrestleMania 32 in 2016 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
A wrestling stage in the middle of the racetrack might make sight lines complicated, but the space, seating and opportunity is intriguing. Knox County mayor Glenn Jacobs, a former WWE star, could have a say in the matter.
The NHL could bring one of its outdoor events to Bristol
Bristol checked Major League Baseball off the list of major events, and the National Hockey League could be next.
The NHL has regularly played outdoor games the past two decades: the Winter Classic (held on or about New Year’s Day); the Heritage Classic (played only in Canada); and the Stadium Series (usually in February or March). The Winter Classic might make the most sense from a narrative perspective, but the Stadium Series could fit as well.
The Nashville Predators have played in the Stadium Series, facing the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2022 at Nissan Stadium. Bristol’s location would make a matchup with the Carolina Hurricanes a fun pairing.
Sports Business Journal’s Adam Stern reported that NHL officials were on hand at Bristol Motor Speedway for the MLB Speedway Classic.
Is college basketball a fit for Bristol?
College basketball games aren’t often played outside but have been enough in the past to make it possible at Bristol.
Iowa women’s basketball played DePaul at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City in 2023. Six men’s games have been played on aircraft carriers; Michigan State and North Carolina were the first to do so, in November 2011, in a setting that presents more weather challenges than Bristol.
The Final Four often is in massive football stadiums, so it’s not a leap to move into the racetrack space from a size perspective.
A basketball game at Bristol would need a major brand program to justify the attempt and bring enough fans. Duke or North Carolina make sense for their proximity to Bristol. Tennessee has a draw for obvious reasons. Louisville isn’t terribly far away. There are options if an NCAA game was in the mix to follow suit from the Battle at Bristol.
Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on X @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.