For the first-ever Major League Baseball game held in Tennessee, Chevrolet and MLB wanted to mark the occasion with something bold and unforgettable. The historic game took place at Bristol Motor Speedway, a venue more often associated with NASCAR than the crack of a bat. To tie the event together, metal fabricator Chris Lee was brought in to deliver something that fused America’s love for fast cars and baseball. Chris Lee created the Chevy Slinger, a unique 1966 Chevelle equipped with a pitching machine under the hood.

A 95-MPH Fastball From A Muscle Car

Chris Lee transformed the vintage A-body into a functioning pitching machine on wheels. At the heart of the build is a custom-fabricated bracket system designed to mount a professional-grade pitching machine into the car’s engine bay. The setup is capable of launching real baseballs at speeds exceeding 95 miles per hour. The Chevy Slinger doesn’t just pay homage to America’s favorite pastime; it throws it straight down the middle at major league speed.

Why The ’66 Chevelle Was The Perfect Base

The 1966 Chevelle was an inspired choice. As one of the defining muscle cars of the mid-1960s, it holds a special place in Chevrolet’s performance legacy. Originally introduced in 1964, the Chevelle bridged the gap between the compact Chevy II and the full-size Impala. By 1966, the Chevelle SS 396 had hit the streets with up to 375 horsepower on tap from the big-block L78 engine. It was a no-nonsense performance car with aggressive styling and real street cred.

With its long hood, squared-off fenders, and wide stance, the ’66 Chevelle became a drag strip favorite and a street racing icon. Lee’s project adds a new chapter to that legacy by turning the Chevelle into a mechanical showstopper instead of a horsepower hero. The pitching machine setup is neatly integrated, making it both functional and photogenic, perfect for Chevrolet’s campaign with MLB.

Built For The Spotlight

The Chevy Slinger debuted during MLB and Chevrolet’s collaborative event at Bristol, where the racetrack was temporarily converted into a ballpark. Amid the spectacle, Lee’s creation stood out as a fusion of engineering, nostalgia, and marketing genius. It captured the spirit of the event while bringing something truly unique to life: an actual muscle car that throws heat.

Chris Lee has hinted at more behind-the-scenes content showing how the build came together, from concept to completion. As fans wait for that footage to drop, one thing’s already certain: the Chevy Slinger is proof that when creativity meets craftsmanship, even a 1966 Chevelle can become a fastball legend.