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

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. 

Watch: NASCAR driver throws punch after heated exchange at Martinsville

 Tempers often flare when NASCAR visits Martinsville Speedway, and that was the case on Saturday.

Aric Almirola staves off playoff drivers, wins Xfinity Series race at Martinsville as tempers flare

As Almirola celebrated, Cole Custer and Chandler Smith — who traded paint late in the race — exchanged pleasantries, with Smith initiating a fistfight that was quickly broken up.

Martin Truex Jr. wins pole for final Cup Series start at Martinsville

In what will likely be his final NASCAR Cup Series start at the Martinsville Speedway, Martin Truex Jr. will lead the field to the green flag.

Watch: Denny Hamlin crashes in practice for pivotal NASCAR playoff race

His path to the Championship Four — and potentially his first NASCAR championship — is now that much tougher.

How Hendrick Motorsports' dream playoff scenario came crashing down

Rick Hendrick must have been on top of the world on the afternoon of Oct. 13. For a faction of the team’s employees, though, the five-minute drive back to the shop on the evening of Oct. 13 likely took hours.

Full-time ARCA Menards Series opportunity turns impossible dream into reality for Brayton Laster

Growing up in Greenwood, Indiana, racing was at the forefront of Brayton Laster's life. Laster has "missed a lot of birthday parties, homecomings and football games" in order to build a racing career 13 years in the making. 

Bubba Wallace can improve on career year with new crew chief in 2025

When the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season begins, Bubba Wallace will have a new voice speaking to him from atop the pit box.

NASCAR driver suspended for intentionally wrecking competitor

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Conner Jones has been suspended for one race after intentionally crashing driver Matt Mills in Saturday’s race at the Homestead-Miami Speedway, NASCAR announced on Wednesday.

Wood Brothers hire new crew chief to be paired with Josh Berry for 2025 season

After crew chief Jeremy Bullins parted ways with the Wood Brothers on Oct. 26, the team’s crew chief situation was up in the air for 2025. On Wednesday, the position was filled.

New TV deal will conjure up NASCAR's past, but that's not a good thing

It's safe to say that the 2001 season changed the way NASCAR was broadcasted on television forever. A new TV deal signed from 2001-07 ushered in a new, modern era for NASCAR broadcasting that drastically simplified things for the common fan. 

Most memorable playoff races in Martinsville Speedway history

As the NASCAR Cup Series prepares to set its Championship Four lineup, here are the most memorable playoff races in the track's illustrious history. 

Chase Elliott stuck between a rock and a hard place in NASCAR championship chase

Life 43 points below the cut line isn’t ideal for Elliott, but at least there’s some momentum behind the No. 9 team with Martinsville on the horizon.

Carson Hocevar turns in another impressive rookie performance at Homestead-Miami Speedway

 Carson Hocevar continued his solid NASCAR Cup Series rookie season on Sunday, finishing ninth in the Straight Talk Wireless 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. 

Ryan Blaney will be 'up all night' thinking about final lap at Homestead-Miami

Ryan Blaney has found plenty of heartbreaking ways to lose races in 2024.

Kyle Larson's aggression could be death knell in his championship chase

Kyle Larson's best asset as a race car driver is undoubtedly his aggressive driving style. At the same time, the trait that has the ability to derail his championship run is his aggressive driving style. 

Amidst ugly lawsuit, 23XI Racing needed Homestead-Miami win more than ever

NASCAR has always been capable of providing moments that are truly poetic. 

Watch: Tyler Reddick makes wild last-lap pass to win NASCAR playoff race in Miami

Homestead-Miami Speedway hardly ever disappoints, and it gave NASCAR fans another classic finish on Sunday.