This week in sports saw persistent storms that changed fortunes amongst different winners.
Queensland Reds ended ACT Brumbies winning start while the same thing happened to Tyler Reddick where Ryan Blaney succeeded this time at the next race track. Last but not least, a new era of Formula 1 has just begun with a new winner but same powerful Mercedes PU.
Make sure you keep Sports Benches in the loop for weekly General Hospital recaps & big event sports once every week.
Let’s go racing whether it’s the lovely V8 sound, the half n’ half hybrid V6 or just line breaks with the classic Gilbert Rugby Ball.
NASCAR Cup Series at Phoenix Raceway
Last week’s run from COTA wasn’t the race for Ryan Blaney when one late yellow undid his winning chances from 2nd to 8th. This time he ended Tyler Reddick’s 3-peat streak towards victory lane today at Phoenix.
Despite falling into trouble sometimes earlier on pit road, Ryan’s huge gambles proved decisive with his first win of 2026 — both Ford Mustang & Team Penske.
He’s been there & done that at a track that earned him the 2023 championship.
It’s no longer the season-ending showpiece anymore now returning to Homestead-Miami Speedway this November.
Then Christopher Bell had a fast race car all afternoon that guaranteed a Top 5 finish in 2nd plus the Stage 2 win. Although repeated 2nd half yellows didn’t quite match his race-winning expectations, he’s the second different best Toyota Camry driver this week for Gibbs instead of Tyler’s satellite 23XI.
As for Kyle Larson, finding the balance right has gotta be paramount following his first-half struggles and a pit-road penalty.
He did have a strong 2nd half performance though having avoided every bit of yellow followed by his good long pace to finish 3rd for Hendrick Motorsports Chevy.
Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park
A new season deployed by completely different race craft under new regulations compared to previous years.
However, same Mercedes dominance though this time by George Russell with Kimi Antonelli 2nd for their works team over the two “track & field” Ferraris — this follows a chess game of half engine & half battery.
The way George stayed out a bit longer over Leclerc while overtaking Lewis to regain the lead was a signature race winning move.
Probably the early engine woes by Red Bull-Ford’s Isack Hadjar running P6 allowed George some breathing room whose spark began with an early pit stop.
Not forgetting that teenage superstar Arvid Lindblad following his complete debut in 8th at Racing Bulls & shame there was no Aussie onboard in Oscar Piastri after he crashed before race start.
Here’s an idea also from the Australian GP weekend, what if Western Force & Moana Pasifika merge under Force Pasifika like the old Force India team?
The Force name would stay led by a billionaire but have half of the existing Pasifika players make up as one to be reckoned with.
This could be Super Rugby’s own Drive to Survive story through the roof.
Super Rugby Week 4/16: ACT Brumbies v Reds
Aside from the rare delayed kick off due to the storm at GIO Stadium in Canberra, the match went ahead amid lightning strikes that’s uncomfortably close to the field.
This time Queensland Reds edged regular semi-finalists ACT Brumbies courtesy of one returning saviour, 31-34.
No need for an introduction from Carter Gordon at 10 – who used the Reds real estate to flatten unpredictable counter-attacks – including his match-winning stunner at the final bell.
Louis Werchon not only connected bridges between forwards & backs, he also applied pressure to other 9 Ryan Lonergan with his all-round kicking game — especially no Tate McDermott right now due to injury.
Special shoutout also to Harry Wilson at Loose 8 following his return from knee surgery as timing has clicked nicely with Les Kiss’ Reds side on the right path of victory.
In the meantime, Harry’s got competition in Charlie Cale whose willingness to score Brumbies tries & smash it all isn’t about a pistol pulling the trigger — his bare hands & legs would do it.
Unlucky despite dominating ball but consistent timing has worked in Queensland’s favour though, particularly with that last bit of play.
