Sports Benches presents this week’s sports news led by Gateway’s NASCAR Chase debut followed by the NFL season-opener but in an Australian first (yes, really!) and at last, the return of a former F1 driver.
We will catch up on what he’s been up to and how he can build the best performance block possible, especially when being tested to deliver right away on crucial race days.
There’s eight Sports Benches sports news editions left this year while if you want more content, check out our General Hospital block every Saturday.
NASCAR Cup Series at Gateway: Enjoy Illinois 300
Kyle Larson is the definition of someone who can take good advantage running green flag laps including repeated or last minute yellows. He’s done that many times before including last year’s season finale.
No wonder Kyle was able to balance things out across speed, a mix of new and old tires and pulling off with enough splashes of fuel for Hendrick Motorsports.
Then Joey Logano in the No.12 Ford Mustang for Penske also had a fast weekend in 3rd place including pole position but sometimes it’s just extra hard to maintain the lead when those endless crash-bang yellows hit you — he doesn’t deserve this.
And Chase leader Denny Hamlin finished 9th in the No.11 Toyota Camry for Gibbs whose performance wasn’t quite front-running but gradually gained track position though with luck. What Denny really needs now is get back to winning races again as often as possible that would hopefully be enough to finally win his first NASCAR championship by Homestead-Miami.
NFL Season Opener at the MCG: Los Angeles Rams v San Francisco 49ers
The dream of having a regular-season NFL game in Australia has finally arrived and there’s no better place to do that but at the MCG full of 100,000 people in attendance — except the three empty seats.
Although the San Francisco 49ers were too good for the Los Angeles Rams, it was still a spectacle nonetheless as the final score was by a 20 point gap, 27-7.
With the Rams, they created some magic particularly led with Puka Nacua, who plays at wide receiver and has a mix of European & Pasifika roots.
However, they also had problems both concentration & getting around the 49ers in open play every time throws get intercepted, touch isolated or incomplete.
Meanwhile for San Fran, their calculated risk strategy paid dividends — something the Rams struggled whilst leading, especially 2nd half.
Left: finding gaps with pace.
Right: impeccable communication by turning into clean catches & a rock solid defensive block including these Hail Marys.
Centre: Stand, Ground and Deliver TDs.
It was a huge team effort which is exactly what the 49ers wanted with credit to QB Brock Purdy who has that creative IQ by setting up his team-mates for success.
Catching up with Jack Doohan
It’s been a very long time since we’ve last heard from Jack Doohan back in May 2025 at the Miami GP where he was unfortunately sacked by Alpine.
They should’ve let him go immediately instead of January 2026 with almost nothing due to his contract situation & the crash factor all stemmed by mismanagement across the year including Flavio Briatore.
Since then, Jack raced again this year mostly the European Le Mans Series (LMP2 class); also the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans.
All while keeping a remote F1 role at Haas with the opportunity to test again regardless of what Haas decides for 2027.
If you don’t like Jack or think he doesn’t deserve to be in F1 (again), that’s your view but please don’t use that opinion just to make yourselves feel better here.
While Jack’s not really a pay driver, having a Carlos Slim-type figure who can help support Australian drivers like Jack would make a big difference. This is about developing pathways, not buying a seat.
I also shouldn’t be ashamed of supporting Jack just because he didn’t do well at Alpine as that chapter is already behind him.
What matters now is to build the best Sunday Body of Work possible & hopefully improving them right away on race days (not just P&Q) if given the ride. I believe that will help towards being set up for success & eventually fulfil his ultimate potential.
