Sports Benches presents this week’s sports news from NASCAR’s second last race weekend of the year to looking back the last 10 days of Constellation Cup Netball and mixed Jack Doohan updates.
If you want to see all the Sports Benches weekly sports highlights over the past 30 odd weeks by all means, go check that out. Also, there always our General Hospital soap fix happening every Saturday.
Note: this isn’t a sponsored post but also a familiar soundtrack and sponsorship reference we hear every week.
NASCAR Cup Series at Martinsville II: Xfinity 500
Looking at William Byron’s run today, he and his crew chief Rudy Fugle went with the race-winning strategy unmatched by everyone else.
The secret was pitting early, re-energise, attack and then compound it on used tires.
You couldn’t believe how good is too good inside that No.24 Chevy Camaro, especially with a clean 2nd half finish for Hendrick.
Then Ty Gibbs in the No.54 Toyota Camry finished 3rd where he could’ve just pitted like Byron instead of trying to hold his early lead a bit longer through lapped traffic.
It’s the one thing Gibbs struggled to fight against 1-2 Hendrick cars but aside, things turned out just fine.
Hats off to Josh Berry on giving Wood Brothers’ a homecoming finish they deserved in 4th — such as that excellent 2nd half package before the afternoon sun turned into twilight. He will be missed with Jesse Love to take over the No.21 Ford Mustang next year but more Josh coming your way for Toyota’s Legacy Motor Club.
2026 Constellation Cup few best players report card
One of the most amazing moments over the past 10 days was this strong Silver Ferns defensive two of Kelly Jackson & Karin Burger.
If I was going to choose one, it’s Karin’s never-say-die leadership on top of her tireless defensive energy wins over Kelly’s dive-bombing punches off the Diamonds inside D.
Without pain, there’s no gain.
Nothing against Kelly who almost single-handedly won every 2026 Firebirds Individual honours but at the end of the day, Karin is the real deal here at International level.
Then Grace Nweke continues to shoot more valuable at a much consistent goal rate than ever before since her move to the NSW Swifts last year from Auckland’s Northern Mystics back home.
Now that she’s set to be a Sydney Siren next year, there’s no doubt Grace will continue to write more milestones of her own herself for whatever challenges is going to throw at GG next.
Finally, newly-crowned Liz Ellis Medalist Georgie Horjus won the “4th-Place Playoff” over the emerging Melbourne Maverick Jessie Grenvold amid a tough two weeks. Georgie was actually more herself at Goal Attack than WA where height difference may look inferior but the risks should’ve been well worth the reward unfortunately.
Bring on 2027 coinciding with Nine’s return covering Netball since 2021 & a Stan Sport subscription-based first too as don’t forget to check out this feature article elsewhere on the “Maddy Gordons” by The Deal With Zeal.
And unfortunately, we’re back to square one after the agreement for Ali Williams & Anna Mowbray to run the NZ domestic league that can be privately owned and operated was called off by Netball New Zealand — just unacceptable.
Jack Doohan Part 6
Few weeks on, Jack unfortunately wasn’t selected as one of the Haas drivers for 2027. Last 48 hours, one of their current drivers was abruptly dropped just before Saturday due to internal differences.
That meant someone else took over since Jack wasn’t called up in Mexico City.
With the Brazil race in Sao Paulo being a week away, could there be a shock return for Jack after all? Should someone who’s already not returning next year be dropped by Haas for good.
If that’s true and Jack is indeed called up, that would be fresh start to see what he can do for a team that impressed during September’s TPC programme in Jerez.
Let me remind you that he is a superhuman behind the visor having had an impressive junior career despite being poorly treated by Alpine early last year even after being dropped until January 2026 due to complications with his contract.
If you still think he’s someone who crashes too much, that’s your opinion. However, it would be greatly appreciated if you don’t leave negative comments here just to make yourself feel better.
That isn’t going to help that much just because of agenda where doubts kill dreams before someone even get the opportunity to succeed or fail.
What helps here is that Jack has a new lease of life with a team willing to support him 100% unlike Alpine as we’re here for him no matter what.
If he returns unexpectedly next weekend, let’s hope he will prioritise race-day performance as ultimate goal #1.
