Yardbarker

Samuel Stubbs

Contributor

Hailing from the same neck of the woods as NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin, Samuel has been covering NASCAR for Yardbarker since February 2024. He has been a member of the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) since October of 2024. When he’s not writing about racing, Samuel covers Arkansas Razorback basketball for Yardbarker. He is also a member of the U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA). Samuel will attend the University of Arkansas in the fall of 2025.

EXPERTISE:

NASCAR

Michael McDowell: NASCAR has 'some of the best racing' in the world

As NASCAR prepares for a pair of races on the world stage in Mexico City this weekend, NASCAR Cup Series driver and Daytona 500 champion Michael McDowell made it clear where he believes NASCAR stands in the motorsports hierarchy.

Bubba Wallace: Road course racing 'starting to click' after years of struggles

One of the most under-the-radar stories in NASCAR over the past two years has been the progression of Bubba Wallace on road courses. 

Shane van Gisbergen says he 'should be up front' in crucial Mexico City race

There may not be a driver in the NASCAR Cup Series field more excited to see a road course than Shane van Gisbergen.  While the 36-year-old rookie from Auckland, New Zealand, has improved on ovals as of late, it's the road courses that remain his strong suit.

Michael McDowell fastest in first NASCAR Cup Series practice session in Mexico City

In the first NASCAR Cup Series practice session ever held at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Michael McDowell paced the field. 

Ryan Truex relishing 'great opportunity' in Mexico City as sub for Denny Hamlin

It's been over a decade since 33-year-old Ryan Truex last competed in a NASCAR Cup Series race. 

Absurd travel issues plaguing NASCAR teams as they attempt to make trip to Mexico City

Travel delays are already having an effect on NASCAR's race weekend in Mexico City.

Denny Hamlin will miss inaugural Cup Series race at Mexico City

The first NASCAR Cup Series race in Mexico City will be without one the sport's biggest stars.

Gatreway provides opportunity for Scott McLaughlin to spoil Alex Palou's IndyCar dominance

Sunday's NTT IndyCar Series race at Gateway may be exactly the medicine Team Penske and Scott McLaughlin need at this juncture of the 2025 season. 

Experience key for Zane Smith as he navigates second Cup Series season

Rookie seasons in NASCAR Cup Series racing are incredibly difficult to navigate. Nobody knows that better than second-year driver Zane Smith, who in Year 2 of his Cup Series career, called his maiden Cup Series voyage a "bad luck year."

Jimmie Johnson reflects on his rare opportunity on world stage

Jimmie Johnson's racing resume needs little introduction to most auto racing fans. Seven NASCAR Cup Series championships. Two Daytona 500 victories. A start in the Indianapolis 500. 

Denny Hamlin is prepared to miss Mexico City race if necessary

Denny Hamlin is riding a wave of momentum going into Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series race in Mexico City, but the 44-year-old is prepared to miss the race if necessary.

F1's decision to go head-to-head with Indy 500 is a lose-lose for motorsports

Moreso than their counterparts in other sports, motorsports officials and competitors usually abide by the saying that "a rising tide lifts all ships." 

Where the NASCAR Truck Series playoff picture stands after Michigan

Stewart Friesen's win at Michigan shook up the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series playoff picture in a big way. Here's where the playoff bubble stands with five races remaining in the regular season.

'Wind in our sails': Stewart Friesen reaping benefits of unlikely Michigan win

It's safe to say the victory lifted the spirits of Friesen and the No. 52 team after a rough first half of the season.

NASCAR power rankings: Denny Hamlin surges after third win of 2025

Denny Hamlin saved just enough fuel to grab his third win of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season in Sunday’s FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan.

Where the NASCAR Cup Series playoff picture stands after Michigan

Denny Hamlin took the checkered flag in Sunday's FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan, but the playoff picture changed dramatically near the cut line. Here's where things stand with 15 of 26 regular-season races complete. 

Denny Hamlin says he thrives as NASCAR's chief antagonist

No driver in modern-day NASCAR plays the role of the villain better than Denny Hamlin. 

Dale Earnhardt Jr. says William Byron is Hendrick's top driver now

William Byron came four laps shy of a win in Sunday's FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan, as a fuel mileage gamble didn't pay off and forced the No. 24 down pit road in the closing laps.

Heartbreaking Michigan loss 'sucks' for William Byron after fuel mileage gamble doesn't pay off

For the third straight week, William Byron was one of the fastest cars in a NASCAR Cup Series race. And, for the third straight week, luck was not on Byron's side.

Flat tire dooms Carson Hocevar's bid for Michigan victory

A week after he tied his career-best finish with a runner-up finish at Nashville, it looked like everything was coming together for Carson Hocevar to score his first NASCAR Cup Series victory at his home track in Michigan International Speedway. 

Denny Hamlin plays fuel mileage to perfection to win FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan

One week after he made the 700th start of his NASCAR Cup Series career, Denny Hamlin won for the 57th time in his career and the third time in 2025. 

Ram to return to NASCAR Truck Series in 2026, Stellantis eyeing future Cup Series return

For the first time since 2012, the Ram Brand will be represented in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.  

Corey LaJoie 'frustrated' after fifth-place finish in NASCAR Truck Series race at Michigan

Despite finishing fifth in his first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start of 2025, Corey LaJoie was still frustrated by what could've been. 

Watch: Crazy three-OT finish in NASCAR Truck Series thriller at Michigan

It was a chaotic NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race that took three overtimes to be settled. 

Denny Hamlin: 23XI Racing will race 'no matter what' after court ruling could force team to lose charters

Hamlin made it clear that his organization won't be changing anything this year.