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.

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NASCAR

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.

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. 

On baby watch, Denny Hamlin says he'd leave Michigan early, skip Mexico City if necessary

For the second straight week, Denny Hamlin is prepared to have a back-up driver jump in his No. 11 Toyota. 

Chase Briscoe wins pole for FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan

For the third consecutive week, Chase Briscoe will lead the field to the green flag in a NASCAR Cup Series race. 

Ryan Blaney lauds NASCAR's approach to scheduling, says he'd like to see Chicagoland return

Ryan Blaney has long been an advocate and supporter of NASCAR's modern scheduling approach.   

Chase Briscoe paces NASCAR Cup Series practice at Michigan

Chase Briscoe was fastest in Saturday's NASCAR Cup Series practice session at Michigan. 

Corey Heim says 'crazy' practice session will lead to entertaining NASCAR Truck Series race at Michigan

On Saturday, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will race at the Michigan International Speedway for the first time since 2020.

Corey LaJoie walks back comments about racing in NASCAR Truck Series ahead of nine-race slate with Spire Motorsports

A little over four months after Corey LaJoie explained that he didn't want to "hold up a trophy on a Friday when there's 12 people in the grandstands" at a NASCAR Truck Series race, the 33-year-old will make his first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start of 2025 at Michigan International Speedway on Saturday.

NASCAR FireKeepers Casino 400 Preview: Favorite, underdog, top storylines

On Sunday, the stars of the NASCAR Cup Series will take on the two-mile Michigan International Speedway in the 15th race of the 2025 season. 

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. doesn't want a rivalry with Carson Hocevar 'running for 15th'

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Carson Hocevar have been the talk of the NASCAR garage for the majority of the week. 

23XI Racing, Front Row Motorsports could lose charters after latest ruling in anti-trust case vs. NASCAR

A major domino has fallen in 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports' anti-trust case against NASCAR.