Big Event Sports Weekend has gone the distance from Daniel Suarez’s impeccable timing under the rain-hit Coca Cola 600 to Survival Sunday on the battle against the drop in the Premier League. Not only that, we also welcome back Super Netball for the first time in 2026 with a Kiwi focus starting with Giants v Adelaide Thunderbirds.
Sports Benches is the place to be with big event sports moment every week alongside the latest General Hospital drama from Port Charles.
Before we start, we want to pay our respects to Kyle Busch whose life was cut short last week due to a sudden illness.
He’s been there and done that with many race wins and 2 x Cup titles despite being heel as he will be deeply missed by the motorsports world, RIP Kyle “Rowdy” Busch.
NASCAR Cup Series: Coca Cola 600 at Charlotte
What a night by Daniel Suarez and his Crew Chief Ryan Sparks inside the No.7 Chevy Camaro for Spire Motorsports.
That win gives Spire their 2nd win of 2026 following Carson Hocevar’s Talladega breakthrough in the sister No.77 team last month.
Didn’t hear much of Danny earlier on but they know how & when to pinpoint for the best seats in the house along with the right set of adjustments that can last longer amid 2nd half restarts & rain delays.
It’s really in Spire’s best strengths when dominating big track races as said earlier.
While speed & stage points helps, tactical execution ultimately decided the Coke 600.
Speaking of speed, Christopher Bell came alive with the lead also during the 2nd half in the No.20 Toyota Camry for Gibbs.
Just a bit unlucky if the race did end after 400 laps when no qualifying didn’t help much thanks to Mother Nature.
The best Ford Mustang this week goes to Ryan Blaney in the No.12 Penske squad with his 7th placed finish.
Not a bad start where kept running Top 7-10 all day although he would’ve wanted the race to end properly with a fighting chance upfront.
2025/26 EPL Survival Sunday for MW 38: West Ham v Leeds & Tottenham v Everton
Good news: West Ham won 3-0 v Leeds.
Bad News: Tottenham also won 1-0 v David Moyes’ Everton thanks to Joao Palhinha.
Tottenham finished 17th ahead of West Ham (18th) who will now play EFL Championship next season joining Burnley & Wolves.
It’s a shame Moyes’ counter-attack Football didn’t answer Roberto De Zerbi’s Spurs organised tactics — Spurs so lucky to still have their PL membership intact.
Same with Nuno who always put safety first despite plenty of notices until he was put into a corner for last & that came back to bite him.
As an athletics fan, it’s best discussions should stay grounded and realistic rather than descending into blame wars over London Stadium.
This doesn’t mean “Sullivan In” or “Sullivan Out” because outdated recruitment/football operations is what led to this predicament.
Because at the end of the day, this needs to be modernised if the Hammers are to reset properly & sustain success.
Super Netball R11/15: Giants v Adelaide Thunderbirds
It’s great to be back covering Super Netball for the first time this year, especially with a huge Kiwi influx thanks to the now more flexible Silver Ferns selection rules.
We’re looking at Whitney Souness’ Giants v Kate Heffernan’s Thunderbirds at Ken Rosewall Arena where the visitors were far too good by 70-37.
Kate continues to convert more transitional plays like cutting in/out the Giants back three at C while Georgie Horjus is the glue that guarantees the T-Birds goals mainly WA & relief GA.
Gotta say that T-Birds mid-court pack are streets ahead currently 1st on the ladder.
Then Elmere Van Der Berg who featured so often for the Proteas last year also loves these basketball-like shots into the net.
Although her 2nd half shots needs to slow down a bit as seen at International level but she will get better over time in SSN.
With Giants, Amy Sligar could’ve offered more of the same Giants aggression had she started at C instead of WD.
You can see Jodi-Ann Ward being more settled right behind Amy at WD than GD where Amy looked the closest fit for the now Melbourne Mavericks star Jamie-Lee Price.
Unfortunately, Giants either looked lost or unable to shut down the T-Birds lively mid-court & defensive back three.
They only came alive with some good two-point shots led by Sophie Dwyer.
