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

Grading NASCAR Cup Series field at Olympics break

The NASCAR Cup Series is off until Aug. 11 because of the Olympics, so this is the perfect time to analyze the field's performance so far.  Here are grades for all 34 full-time drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series through the first 22 races of the season.

Trackhouse Racing's complacency drawing comparisons to Chip Ganassi Racing

When Justin Marks bought Chip Ganassi Racing in 2021, it was seen as a move that represented the new era of NASCAR, but that hasn't come to fruition.

Five worst underperforming NASCAR drivers in 2024

These are the five NASCAR Cup Series drivers who have failed to perform like they were expected to through the first 22 races of the season. 

Big TV viewership shows why NASCAR wants to stay in Indianapolis

The Indianapolis oval may not produce thrilling racing, but if NASCAR wants to get back to the levels of popularity it saw at its peak, choosing to race at the greatest track in the world is imperative. 

Winless and struggling, Kyle Busch faces pressure to get back on track

This year, however, Busch has found more TV time as a victim of a crash than running up front. 

Three NASCAR Xfinity Series drivers most in need of the Olympic break

After Saturday's thrilling race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the NASCAR Xfinity Series has three weeks off, returning to action on Aug. 17 at Michigan.

The five NASCAR Cup Series drivers most in need of the Olympic break

After Sunday's Brickyard 400, the NASCAR Cup Series has two weekends off until returning to action at the Richmond Raceway on Aug. 11. Some drivers will need the rest more than others, however. Here are the five drivers most in need of their two-week vacation.

Controversial officiating marred NASCAR's return to the Brickyard 400

The officiating controversy began way before the race's final laps, however, as both Chase Elliott and Brad Keselowski fell victim to penalties for merging back onto the racing surface after making green flag pit stops. The problem? Written out, NASCAR's rule is extremely confusing.

NASCAR Cup Series playoff bubble battle watch: The gap closes after Indianapolis

With only four races remaining in the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series regular season, the playoff bubble continues to tighten. 

Kyle Larson wins Brickyard 400 in controversial fashion

Kyle Larson won the Brickyard 400 on Sunday, but it didn't come without a little bit of controversy. 

Riley Herbst may have earned Cup Series deal with winning pass at Indianapolis

Has Riley Herbst done enough to earn a car in the NASCAR Cup Series?

Riley Herbst uses last-corner pass to win Xfinity Series race at Indianapolis

Riley Herbst more than earned his win at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Saturday.

Cole Custer's road to NASCAR redemption is finally complete

Cole Custer's NASCAR career has come full circle.

NASCAR driver hit with crippling penalty after qualifying for Brickyard 400

Martin Truex Jr will have an uphill battle before him as he chases victory in the Brickyard 400.

Ty Majeski asserts short-track dominance with win at IRP

Through the first 14 races of the 2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season, Ty Majeski was winless. 

NASCAR's tight regular-season battle proves it doesn't need playoffs to create championship fight

Past races prove that a complicated points format isn't necessary to produce a championship battle that comes down to the final lap.

NASCAR legend named one of the best professional athletes of 21st century

As a seven-time NASCAR champion and NASCAR Hall of Famer, Jimmie Johnson's legacy has already been secured since he retired from full-time NASCAR competition in 2020.

If Ross Chastain has any 2022 magic left, it's time to use it

It almost seems like whatever good magic Chastain used in 2022 has been overtaken by some force of evil. Whenever the No. 1 car has had speed this year, things have seemed to go south

Why NASCAR's return to the Brickyard 400 is a success, regardless of the racing product

Even compared to NASCAR's most historic and valued venues — Daytona, Darlington, Charlotte and Talladega — Indianapolis far and away trumps other tracks in terms of history and tradition.

Why Corey LaJoie crashing Kyle Busch at Pocono is completely inexcusable

While it's never easy for a driver to back off on a restart, LaJoie clearly came up the track and turned Busch in a move that can't be excused, especially from a veteran.

Tenured NASCAR Xfinity Series team may soon find itself out of the sport entirely

The team's future now looks more uncertain than ever.

Alex Bowman, No. 48 team starting to turn up the wick at the right time

NASCAR Cup Series driver Alex Bowman is doing his best driving at the perfect time.

Denny Hamlin comes up just shy of record eighth Pocono victory

Denny Hamlin raced well at Pocono on Sunday (no surprise), but not quite well enough to secure the win.

Kyle Busch's dismal 2024 campaign continues with crash at Pocono

Every week, Kyle Busch's abysmal 2024 campaign seems to sink to new lows.