We’ve got a lot to unpack on this week’s sports news recap whether it’s 500 short track laps on a paper clip, winning by big margins or just celebrating a special moment amongst the elite T&F athletes.
There was a Chevy first time winner of the season from behind while the Hurricanes maintain top spot following their comprehensive win v the Reds in Super Rugby. Also, one big highlight from last weekend’s Indoor Worlds Athletics event including a special guest feature that you can only see with Sports Benches.
As always we got you covered both big event sports and General Hospital where Pier 55 once again delivered centre-stage drama involving Rocco, Jason, Britt, Marco and Mr C (Ross Cullum).
NASCAR Cup Series at Martinsville: Cook Out 400
We now have a Chevy winner for the first time in 2026 by Chase Elliott in the No.9 Camaro for Hendrick at Martinsville.
How did this guy go from just in & out of Top 10 to 1st?
His 2nd half performance was well timed under long green and short burst yellows via Alan Gustafson’s race notes. He went from short pitting to lots of track position which was a risk worth taking before he capitalised with fresher tires en route to victory lane.
On top of that, his ability to overtake cars including lapped traffic was something Denny Hamlin couldn’t do — that’s a plus.
Looking at Denny now, he had the fastest car on paper off the back of his pole award; also his Stage 1 and 2 wins, particularly when it’s the No.11 Toyota Camry for Gibbs.
His struggles like lapped traffic earlier on though have came back to bite him including several Stage 3 yellows/restarts.
Gotta say brains defeated brawns after 500 laps short-track racing.
The best Ford goes to Joey Logano in 3rd for Team Penske who made gradual & steady improvements along the way.
There were opportunities where Joey should’ve capitalised on as his racecraft wasn’t inside the ballpark at times like taking advantage towards battling for 1st & hopefully hedging his bets till the checkered flag like C. Elliott. However, he has kept a safe pair of hands after all and he wasn’t that far behind the front row — that’s why he’s this week’s best Ford Mustang.
Super Rugby Week 7/16: Hurricanes v Reds
Hurricanes simply unstoppable over Queensland Reds to retain top spot on the Super Rugby ladder almost halfway now by 52-14 in Wellington.
Canes couldn’t care less converting into a series of rocket ships or plow towards TRY lines whereas Reds were widely inferior with no 2nd half structure to help win games.
The man of the hour begins with Fehi Fieanghanofo on the wide left who possesses all of the above with credit from the Canes’ free flowing rugby. He’s got pace, the defensive coverage & the way he exploits following high balls — it’s all in his name.
Meanwhile, that Canes forwards pair also provided platform like Caleb Delany on the second row 4 & ABs-capped Peter Lakai at No.8 maintaining solid build-up: from the breakdown to drive time.
Shame Fehi’s bound for Newcastle in the UK at season’s end but with Delany & Lakai staying on, sure Canes will continue to stabilise going into 2027 and beyond.
As said, not the trip the Reds wanted following an up & down first half where it’s unfortunate they were playing back foot rugby and also timing’s very poorly aligned.
At least Hunter Paisami tops the Queensland shirt on the inside 12 feeding off quick counter-attack ball as well as covering/clearing decks that meant some points on the board. Unfortunately, he sorely needs that rhythm to help Reds justify consistently next time.
2026 World Athletics Indoor Championships: Last Week
Can’t get enough of last weekend’s three-day Indoor Worlds from Torun, Poland full of moments you’ll never forget.
Our Aussie group showed some fight despite the two gold shortcomings including Nicola Olyslagers from high jump, Although we didn’t win that unofficial Trans-Tasman prize thanks to NZ’s Tom Walsh in the men’s shot put.
What intrigued me was Team GB’s “Super Saturday” from London 2012 again but on final night Sunday, with three goal medal winners powering 2nd on the medal tally of four gold, just one off Team USA.
Among the highlights:
- Georgia Hunter-Bell, Women’s 1500m Final win over Australia’s Jess Hull
- Keely Hodgkinson, Women’s 800m
- Molly Caudery, Women’s Pole Vault
- Josh Kerr, Men’s 3000m from night two
And what better way to bring in someone else from Team GB but only on Sports Benches: meet Ellen Barber, 2 x multi-event athletics national champion.
She also competed last weekend’s event in the women’s pentathlon group stacked against a mix of international competitors plus someone Ellen knows well.
In our chat, she reflects on:
- Her first Indoor World Championships experience in Toruń
- Proposed 2029 London Worlds bid
- Overcoming injury setbacks
- Her passion for horses
- Comm Games & her Australian connection including Celeste Mucci
We’ll leave you there with the Interview below — enjoy:
