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

Connor Zilisch wins pole for Xfinity Series race at Rockingham but won't start first

Connor Zilisch won the pole for Saturday's NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Rockingham Speedway, but the 18-year-old won't be leading the field to the green flag on Saturday afternoon.

Rockingham's return was disastrous for ThorSport Racing

Better days are ahead for ThorSport as it looks to add another championship trophy to its collection, but Friday's race at Rockingham was one the organization would like to forget. 

Stewart Friesen questions if racing in NASCAR Truck Series is 'worth it anymore'

Friday was a day that NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Stewart Friesen would like to forget. 

Tyler Ankrum wins Truck Series race at Rockingham, breaks 130-race winless streak

It's been 2,108 days since Ankrum's Truck Series win at Kentucky Speedway on July 11, 2019.

Kasey Kahne set for first NASCAR start since 2018 at Rockingham

When Kasey Kahne takes the green flag for Saturday's NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Rockingham Speedway, it will have been 2,421 days since the 45-year-old last raced in a NASCAR-sanctioned event. 

Why it's time for NASCAR Truck Series driver Rajah Caruth to worry

It's not time for Rajah Caruth and his No. 71 team to panic, but the 22-year-old's poor start to the season must raise concerns for the driver and his crew. 

Why Rockingham Speedway's second comeback will be more successful than its first

Rockingham is 21 years removed from its last Xfinity Series race and over a decade removed from its last Truck Series race. 

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."