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

Who's impressed, disappointed a quarter of the way through the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season

With nine of 36 races on the calendar complete, here are drivers who have surprisingly impressed and disappointed so far. 

NASCAR can no longer ignore Next Gen car's glaring issues

At the conclusion of the 2022 NASCAR season, NASCAR’s seventh- generation car — dubbed the “Next Gen” — was deemed a resounding success. The first season of the Next Gen car included lots of parity and exciting racing.

Pit road mistake takes Carson Hocevar out of winning contention at Bristol

A dream run at Bristol Motor Speedway for Carson Hocevar quickly turned into a nightmare.

Jesse Love finishes 31st in rough-and-tumble NASCAR Cup Series debut

Jesse Love's NASCAR Cup Series debut at Bristol Motor Speedway went about as you would expect a driver's Cup Series debut at Bristol would go.

Ty Gibbs, No. 54 team rounding the corner after top-five at Bristol

Ty Gibbs sat 34th in points six races into the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season.

Denny Hamlin comes up one spot shy of third straight Cup Series win

Hamlin only came up one spot short of winning a third consecutive NASCAR Cup Series race, but it didn't feel as if the veteran driver was that close to notching another win.

Kyle Larson dominates Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway

For the second straight NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway, Kyle Larson took the field behind the woodshed.

Watch: Engine gremlins doom Alex Bowman's day at Bristol

Food City 500 pole-sitter Alex Bowman saw his race come to an early end on Sunday.

Jesse Love says NASCAR Cup Series debut is a 'full circle moment'

On Sunday, Jesse Love will be faced with an arduous task: making his NASCAR Cup Series debut in a 500-lap race at Bristol Motor Speedway. 

Justin Allgaier continues incredible start to NASCAR Xfinity Series season

After finally breaking through and capturing his first NASCAR Xfinity Series championship in 2024, the floodgates have opened for Justin Allgaier. 

Both Sam Hunt Racing drivers earn top-10 finishes at Bristol

Sam Hunt Racing turned in one of the most impressive days in company history on Saturday at Bristol Motor Speedway. 

Kyle Larson dominates Xfinity Series race at Bristol 

Kyle Larson won Saturday's NASCAR Xfinity Series SciAps 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway in dominant fashion, leading 277 of 300 laps en route to his 16th NASCAR Xfinity Series victory. 

Chandler Smith holds off Kyle Larson, Corey Heim to win Truck Series race at Bristol

Like a gladiator taking down his highly favored opponent in the Roman Colosseum, Chandler Smith held off Kyle Larson and Corey Heim to win Friday's NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Bristol Motor Speedway — a track known as "The Last Great Colosseum."

Kyle Larson looking for elusive Triple Sweep at Bristol

Kyle Larson came oh-so-close to winning all three races held at Homestead-Miami Speedway from March 21-23, but he has another chance to complete the rare weekend sweep at Bristol Motor Speedway. 

Braves earn crucial win over Phillies on anniversary of Hank Aaron's 715th home run

On the 51st anniversary of Hank Aaron's historic 715th home run on April 8, 1974, the Braves earned a crucial win over a division rival at home that could serve as a much-need shot in the arm. 

Remembering the night Dale Earnhardt rattled Terry Labonte's cage at Bristol

The towering high banks of Bristol Motor Speedway encase a half-mile bull ring deserving of the nickname, "The Last Great Colosseum."

Cole Custer's return to the NASCAR Cup Series has been lackluster so far

One of the stories that got lost in the noise of the NASCAR offseason was Cole Custer's return to NASCAR's top division with Haas Factory Team.

NASCAR's Rookie of the Year battle taking place in the basement

The NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year battle is one of many intriguing storylines that play out over the course of 36 weeks of competition. 

Despite consistent season, Chase Elliott leaving more to be desired in 2025

The mood surrounding Elliott and the No. 9 team just seems a bit off. 

Can Denny Hamlin become latest JGR driver to win three Cup Series races in a row?

Lost in the confetti that surrounded Hamlin and the No. 11 team following their win Sunday in the Goodyear 400 at Darlington was the prospect of history.

Ty Gibbs earns first top-10 finish of the season at Darlington

The first seven races of Ty Gibbs' third NASCAR Cup Series season could best be described as a hellscape for the 22-year-old driver.

Darlington finish proves pit road is where NASCAR races are won and lost

Pit road, in NASCAR's most apt comparison, may be the trenches of football.