September 2025
The Bristol Speedway was the site of Major League Baseball’s first ever Speedway Classic, with the Atlanta Braves playing the Cincinnati Reds. With more than 90,000 in attendance, beef councils from six states hosted several events to meet fans and promote beef. (photo by Jane W. Graham)
By Jane W. Graham, the Delmarva Farmer
BRISTOL, Tenn. — “Take me out to the ballgame, that’s where the beef is” could have been the theme song for a historic baseball game here on Aug. 2 when the Atlanta Braves defeated the Cincinnati Reds 4-2 at Bristol Motor Speedway.
A coalition of beef farmers from five states knew that lots of fans would be coming to town for the first Major League Baseball game in Tennessee.
Probably they did not guess that 91,032 fans would surpass an attendance record that had stood since 1954 for a MLB game.
Beef Councils from Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Alabama, Florida and Kentucky seized the opportunity for promoting beef at the race track.
Beef was prominently featured in the Fan Zone with a branded “Beef It’s What’s for Dinner” tent beckoning fans to learn more about beef in the hours before the opening pitch.
Cattle producers from participating states mingled with fans — answering questions, sharing stories and connecting over America’s love for beef and baseball.
Council staff handed out 5,000 beef sticks to hungry attendees while answering a wide array of questions from how to keep a beef roast moist to where to buy local beef.
The interactive booth offered baseball card–style beef recipes for summer grilling; expert beef tips and cooking recommendations; family friendly beef swag like stickers and spice packets; photo ops at the fan-favorite: Bama Beef T-Bone.
One major attraction was the opportunity to enter to win a cooler of beef worth $350 donated by Anderson and Sons Meats of Virginia. Fans lined up to scan the QR code for a chance at this “Ultimate Beef Giveaway.”
“Being part of the historic first-ever MLB game at Bristol Motor Speedway was nothing short of unforgettable,” said Alesia Hovatter, a member of the Virginia Beef Council’s board of directors, said in the council’s report. “Rain or not, the fans showed up big — from New York to Mississippi and all across the Southeast — and we had the best time sharing our passion for Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner. Whether fans grabbed a beef stick, a recipe card, or just stopped by to chat, folks were excited to celebrate with us.”
Stephanie Weiss, executive director of the Virginia Beef Council, shared her council’s delight with producers’ day at the race track with The Delmarva Farmer.
Leaders in Virginia’ s beef cattle industry joined Weiss in marking the success of the collaboration.
“The game was a great opportunity to connect with fans and highlight the hardworking cattle producers who make it possible to enjoy delicious, nutritious beef,” the council’s treasurer and a Rockingham dairy farmer, Paula Craun said.
“By working together and pooling Beef Checkoff dollars, we can get the great story of our beef industry out to more consumers, more efficiently,” added Gene Copenhaver, president-elect of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and a cattle producer in Southwest Virginia. “This event was a home run — for fans, for beef, and for every state that came together to make it happen.”