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

NASCAR Truck Series driver pulled hours before race at Nashville

The driver has already seen his weekend at Nashville Superspeedway come to an end before turning any laps.

Corey Heim, Christian Eckes battling for regular-season title as Truck Series heads to Nashville

After a four-week break, Christian Eckes and Corey Heim will try and continue their stellar 2024 campaigns.

Taylor Gray looking for breakthrough victory at Nashville Superspeedway

Taylor Gray seems to be on the verge of victory in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

Clint Bowyer making first Truck Series start since 2016 at Nashville

Bowyer's last Truck Series start came in the 2016 Toyota Tundra 250 at Kansas Speedway, where he wheeled GMS Racing's No. 24 truck to a fifth-place finish. 

Cole Custer, Chandler Smith locked in tight regular-season points battle

The battle for the NASCAR Xfinity Series regular-season championship is neck-and-neck. Defending champion Cole Custer currently leads Chandler Smith by just 15 points after 16 races. 

Does Andy Petree's departure open executive role for Austin Dillon at RCR?

Some interesting dominoes could fall in NASCAR following the surprise retirement of Andy Petree from Richard Childress Racing.

NASCAR driver suspended after fight with Bubba Wallace

The reason for Aric Almirola's sudden disappearance from Joe Gibbs Racing has come to light.

Freedom Racing hoping change in crew chief spurs momentum shift

Freedom Racing Enterprises hasn't had an ideal rookie season in the Truck Series, but they're hoping a personnel change will right the ship. 

Defending champion Ben Rhodes finally turning the corner in 2024

For the first eight races of the 2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season, defending champion Ben Rhodes looked like a shell of himself. 

Layne Riggs is hoping his summer momentum carries over to Nashville

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series hasn't raced since June 1, but Layne Riggs is hoping his early-summer momentum will translate to his run at the Nashville Superspeedway.

Matt Crafton's steady decline may culminate in driver missing playoffs for first time

They say Father Time comes for us all, but it seems to be getting a particular bead on NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Matt Crafton.

The top five races in the first half of the NASCAR Cup Series season

This NASCAR Cup Series season has had no shortage of drama. Looking back at the top five races of the season's first half.

Why Nashville is a crucial race for Bubba Wallace amid playoff push

In the heat of the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season, Nashville may be one of the most important races of Bubba Wallace's career. 

There may be a deeper meaning to Andy Petree's sudden retirement

It appears that Richard Childress Racing is on the hunt for solutions. With drivers Kyle Busch and Austin Dillon both in danger of missing the 2024 Cup Series playoffs, the team is in desperate need of speed and results halfway through the year.

Richard Childress Racing sinking to new lows in 2024

Despite being a proud organization with over 50 years of history, Richard Childress Racing currently looks like a team that just rolled into the garage area yesterday.

Chase Briscoe officially signs with Joe Gibbs Racing for 2025

Joe Gibbs Racing has found the new driver of the No. 19 car for 2025 and beyond.  29 year-old Chase Briscoe will take over Martin Truex Jr.'s seat for 2025, with the 43 year-old Truex retiring.

Ty Gibbs cooling off after hot start to 2024 season

Through the first 14 weeks of the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season, Ty Gibbs was billed as one of the top drivers in the series. A cold stretch has calmed the hype, however.

Noah Gragson can't afford for mid-season slump to continue

After a surprisingly solid start to the season for Noah Gragson, the No. 10 team has slowly rolled toward the edge of a cliff they're in danger of falling off. 

Legacy Motor Club secures much-needed pair of top-15 finishes at New Hampshire

They say laughter is the best medicine, but Legacy Motor Club may argue and say that wet-weather tires should be the preferred remedy for racing maladies.

Short tracks providing respite from tough season for Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

Iowa and New Hampshire may be two of the shorter tracks on the NASCAR schedule, but they've gone a long way in saving Ricky Stenhouse Jr's 2024 season.

Carson Hocevar continues to impress in Cup Series rookie season

Carson Hocevar may be flying under the radar halfway through the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season, but he's checking all the boxes that he should as a rookie.

Wood Brothers, Harrison Burton should celebrate small improvements

To say Harrison Burton's 2024 season hasn't gone well would be a massive understatement. 

NASCAR Cup Series could be headed to Mexico or Canada in 2025

It appears the NASCAR Cup Series could be headed international in 2025.

Insiders tease major NASCAR schedule changes for 2025

The 2025 NASCAR playoff schedule may look drastically different.  According to Jordan Bianchi and Jeff Gluck of The Athletic, three tracks that host playoff

NASCAR Cup Series playoffs bubble watch: Where the field sits after Loudon

Who should be nervous as the NASCAR Cup Series turns toward July?