After a long few months when most sports had much needed time off, sports weekly recaps are back for 2026 starting with new seasons of NASCAR and Super Rugby.
We will also look at other sports like Netball and Soccer plus many more throughout the year.
Make sure you keep Sports Benches in mind with our weekly General Hospital highlights once every weekend where last week’s episode were full of big reveals from Maxie’s return to Portia’s paternity test between Isaiah & Curtis on top of Lucy and Ava’s feud over Mr. Jenz Sidwell.
There’s also the summer sports series moments you don’t want to miss like Test Cricket and the Australian Open Tennis.
Sports Benches Feature Headline, Daytona 500
This race was full of less Big Ones, more strategy and a crazy waving white flag to decide the next Daytona 500 champion.
So we’ll start with Tyler Reddick (23XI Racing) who made some good calls from sacrificing Stage 1 to Top 5-10 this entire 2nd half distance on top of a fast No.45 Toyota Camry that’s good to pull off on its own.
Best Chevy goes to restrictor plate veteran Ricky Stenhouse Jr. in the No.47 Camaro for Hyak following his 2nd place finish — just shy of a possible 2nd triumph following his own big moment back to 2023.
He came out of nowhere by steering clear for the right moments and that’s what Stenhouse did to start 2026 on the right note.
Best Ford goes to Team Penske’s Joey Logano in 3rd — despite being spun the other way round off Riley Herbst’s ten-pin bowling ball for the right reasons.
He wasn’t bad at the start where some lead laps up front would’ve helped and Joey decided to experiment a few different strategies along the way.
At least the late yellow under 10 to go with his fresh set of adjustments allowed him to finish the race well.
Truck Series: Fresh From Florida 250
A quiet first two stages dominated by 2 x Spire Motorsport cars flew so fast towards a crazy 2nd half dash including that four-wide finish at the checkered flag on overtime.
It was full of wrecks, spins and new race leaders amongst a few big-name guests & a returning manufacturer thanks to Ram.
Race Winner Chandler Smith in the No.38 Ford for Front Row got the help he needed speed and support via the drafts. This means a lot to him not to mention the credit coming from fellow Blue Oval driver Ty Majeski (4th) in the No.88 from ThorSport.
The best Toyota goes to Gio Ruggiero in 2nd over the best Chevy in Christian Eckes following their up and down first half.
Gio wanted that win so bad but then he had no help and chose to push and block Eckes onto the far right. He did what he had to do defensively in his No.17 Tundra with Tricon.
For the first time in long time, welcome back Ram with Brenden Queen who finished 8th for the factory-backed Kaulig team.
His starting baseline showed some good track position earlier on & while his long runs aren’t exactly front running like team-mate Justin Haley, he wasn’t bad after all.
Super Rugby, Round 1 of 16
Highlanders v Crusaders lasted more than just the 80 with scraps where Crusaders unable to climb out unscathed by 25-23, while the Waratahs made a big statement particularly 2nd half over Reds, 36-12.
Hometown hero begins with Cam Millar at 10 from sensational conversion kicks to counter attack creativity — functioning as a cohesive unit in the process.
That includes Timoci Tavavanawai on the inside 12 who continues to put dents on the Crusaders blocks left, right and centre in the same way as Jacob Kneepens with his never ending mileage from the back.
Noah Notham over in the Crusaders 9 made some smart decisions that made life for the Highlanders harder but then poor selection & late tactics also put a toll on themselves.
Then there’s another hometown hero, enter “Mad Max” Jorgensen on the Waratahs left 11.
He was there & everywhere waiting to seize his moment as his sensational tries is worth the $$$ courtesy of the team’s irresistible 2nd half output.
Also, the future is bright in Daceyville when Isaac Kailea the reserve prop gave every reason why he’s the man to step up in place of Angus Bell this year.
Same goes with Teddy Wilson who can provide some good competition to long-time mainstay Jake Gordon in the 9s.
Lastly, Joe Brial on the Reds blindside six played like he’s a 12/13 in the centres.
Love his odd kick looks almost reminiscing a 50/22 but at least that led to a Tim Ryan TRY and Joe meant magic. It’s a shame that the Reds were way inferior unfortunately.
