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

Second straight championship defeat gives Corey Heim extra fuel heading into 2025

For the second season in a row, an outstanding season from Corey Heim ended in disappointment at Phoenix.

Ty Majeski dominates at Phoenix to claim NASCAR Truck Series championship

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship trophy is heading to Seymour, Wisconsin.

NASCAR says it has no officiating problem, but eye test begs to differ

NASCAR chief operating officer Steve O’Donnell said he doesn't believe the sport has an officiating problem. A litany of controversial officiating decisions by the sanctioning body in recent weeks would beg to differ.

Chapters of NASCAR history ending at Phoenix

This weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series championship race at Phoenix Raceway will mark the end of several chapters in the sport’s history. Here are the individuals and eras that we’ll be saying goodbye to on Sunday.

NASCAR Truck Series could be Corey Heim's playground in 2025

Over the past two seasons, Heim has arguably been the best driver in the Truck Series.

No. 16 Arkansas beats Lipscomb in John Calipari's debut

The John Calipari era at Arkansas is off to a good start.

Justin Allgaier looks to finally capture NASCAR Xfinity Series championship

For 14 years, the 38-year-old from Riverton, Illinois, has chased the NASCAR Xfinity Series championship to no avail. 

Grant Enfinger, CR7 Motorsports look to cap Cinderella season with Truck Series trophy

One year ago, Grant Enfinger finished second in NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series points after a heartbreaking defeat in the championship race at Phoenix.

Tyler Reddick has opportunity to bring young 23XI Racing to NASCAR's championship table

One year ago, Tyler Reddick and 23XI Racing ended their season with a whimper. Will that be the case this year?

Ty Majeski aiming to become ThorSport Racing's latest surprise NASCAR Truck Series champion

In the NASCAR playoffs, performing in the races that matter most is of the utmost importance.

Christian Eckes looks to cap near-perfect season with NASCAR Truck Series championship

To say it would be disappointing for Eckes to come up shy of the championship would be an understatement.

NASCAR penalizes teams, suspends crew members for incident at Martinsville

Following the controversial final laps of Sunday's Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway, NASCAR has handed out steep penalties to several of the parties involved.

Corey Heim looks to avenge 2023 defeat in NASCAR Truck Series championship race

One year ago, Corey Heim was a main character in what many consider the worst finale in NASCAR history. 

Michael Jordan: 23XI Racing 'looking forward to winning a championship' amid legal battle

On Monday, plaintiffs and lawyers for both NASCAR and 23XI Racing met in a Charlotte courtroom to discuss the latter's suit against NASCAR. 

Amid playoff controversy, William Byron aims to win first NASCAR title

For the second year in a row, William Byron will compete for the NASCAR Cup Series championship at Phoenix Raceway. 

NASCAR only has itself to blame for playoff officiating controversies

There's a litany of competitive reasons why NASCAR doesn't need a playoff format in order to be exciting, but Sunday proved another reason why — it creates opportunities for the integrity of the sport to crumble in what should be its most exciting moments. 

Kyle Larson finishes third at Martinsville, misses Championship Four after outstanding season

By the time Sunday's Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway got into crunch time, it became clear that Kyle Larson needed a win to make the Championship Four. 

For the 19th time, Denny Hamlin's NASCAR championship hopes come to an end

Lost in the chaos and controversy of Sunday's Xfinity 500 at Martinsville was the story of Denny Hamlin.

Ryan Blaney wins at Martinsville, secures Championship Four berth

Ryan Blaney just seems to have a clutch gene when it comes to Martinsville Speedway in the fall.

Controversial officiating decision decides NASCAR's Championship Four field

Immediately following Sunday's Xfinity 500, it appeared as if Christopher Bell would make the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Four for the third consecutive season.

Carson Hocevar takes out two drivers in separate incidents at Martinsville

Carson Hocevar added two incidents to a long list of run-ins on Sunday at the Martinsville Speedway. 

Watch: Christopher Bell spins in NASCAR playoff race at Martinsville, Martin Truex Jr. suffers pit road penalty

On a day when Bell needed nothing more than a decent finish to advance to the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Four, he committed a cardinal sin. 

What to know before NASCAR Cup Series Round of 8 elimination race at Martinsville

Here's what you need to know before the penultimate race of the 2024 season. 

Sammy Smith comes up one spot shy of Martinsville win, Championship Four berth

After a largely disappointing 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series season, Sammy Smith found himself with an opportunity to race himself into the Championship Four on Saturday afternoon.