BRISTOL, Tenn. (AP) — Before Hurston Waldrep earned his first major league win by pitching at a NASCAR venue, it was only fair that his day included a lengthy drive.
Waldrep was called up from Triple-A Gwinnett, then pitched 5 2/3 innings for Atlanta in the Braves' 4-2 win over Cincinnati in the rain-delayed MLB Speedway Classic at Bristol Motor Speedway. The game started Saturday but was suspended in the first inning because of rain. Waldrep was told that night he'd be pitching Sunday — and to expect a car service early in the morning.
“Wake up at 4:45, got in the car a little after 5, drove here with my girlfriend. Got here 9:45 or so. Everything since then, it’s been nonstop," Waldrep said. “Didn’t really have time to sit here and think about how it all happened. Nonetheless, grateful for it, happy to be here. It’s been an unbelievable day.”
It's about 250 miles from Gwinnett, Georgia, to Bristol — which would be over 450 laps around the track at Bristol. Waldrep said he tried to sleep on the ride up, but that wasn't easy. Since he didn't arrive until Sunday, he missed the fanfare of the previous day, but he was there for most of the baseball.
“It was really breathtaking to walk out, see how they set everything up, see the field, and just hearing from the players how last night went," he said. "It was all around just awesome.”
Waldrep made his big league debut in 2024, starting two games for the Braves. This was his first big league appearance this year. The 23-year-old right-hander allowed a run and three hits.
“After I took him out, I was like, ’Everything we put you through today you’ve done your job,'” manager Brian Snitker said. "He’s made a lot of strides. I think his time in Triple-A has been really really good for him.”
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Atlanta Braves pitcher Hurston Waldrep throws against the Cincinnati Reds during the second inning of the MLB Speedway Classic baseball game at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tenn., Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025. Play was resumed today after yesterday's weather delay. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
WASHINGTON (AP) — Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado met with U.S. President Donald Trump, presenting him with her Nobel Peace Prize medal and praising his support for Venezuelan democracy, even as Trump has signaled a willingness to work with the country’s acting president.
As Machado was in Washington, acting President Delcy Rodríguez delivered her first state of the union address in Caracas, calling for reforms to Venezuela’s state-run oil industry aimed at attracting foreign investment following the removal of former President Nicolás Maduro. The former vice president also outlined a distinct vision for the future between the two historic adversaries, straying from her predecessors, who have long railed against American intervention in Venezuela.
This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Military leaders arrive at the National Assembly where acting President Delcy Rodriguez addresses lawmakers in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
National Assembly lawmaker Nicolas Maduro Guerra, son of deposed President Nicolas Maduro, and his wife Grysell Torres arrive at the National Assembly for Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodriguez first state of the union address in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodriguez delivers her first state of the union address at the National Assembly in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodriguez addresses lawmakers next to a picture of former President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, at the National Assembly in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodriguez arrives at the National Assembly in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodriguez, center, National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez, left, and Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello arrive at the National Assembly in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado greets supporters on Pennsylvania Avenue near the White House after meeting with President Donald Trump Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado reaches out to embrace Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, left, as the Nobel Peace Prize recipient meets with Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., right, and others two weeks after President Donald Trump toppled Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro in a stunning military raid, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado arrives at the Capitol, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, left, leaving the White House in Washington, after meeting with President Donald Trump Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, center, leaves the Capitol, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)
Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado is welcomed as she arrives for meetings in the office of Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
