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

Josh Berry proves short-track prowess with strong effort at Iowa

Josh Berry has proven plenty capable of crushing short tracks in the NASCAR Cup Series.

Kyle Busch's season-long struggles exacerbated by mechanical failure at Iowa

Sometimes seasons just go sideways for no obvious reason. That might be the case for NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch in 2024, though there's still time to get right.

Ryan Blaney staves off challengers for dominant win at Iowa Corn 350

Ryan Blaney didn't run a perfect race at the Iowa Corn 350, but pretty close.

Struggling Hailie Deegan may not be ready for bright lights of NASCAR

Deegan currently sits 29th in Xfinity Series points, the worst of all full-time drivers in the series.

Sam Mayer puts himself back into championship conversation with win at Iowa

After a frustrating start to the 2024 season, it appears that Sam Mayer and the No. 1 team are officially back in championship form. 

Riley Herbst comes up just short of second career win at Iowa

As Riley Herbst crossed the start/finish line at Iowa Speedway on Saturday night, the famous words of Ricky Bobby — "If you ain't first, you're last" — likely echoed through his mind. 

Corey Heim notches best Xfinity Series finish at Iowa Speedway

Heim once more proved why he's one of the most sought-after prospects in NASCAR on Saturday.  With the Truck Series off until June 28, he opted to run Saturday's NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Iowa Speedway.

Braves offense seems to finally be breaking out of prolonged slump

Atlanta finally finding offense that isn't solely produced by Marcell Ozuna is the biggest positive to be gleaned from the weekend.

Sam Mayer uses overtime restart to win Xfinity Series' return to Iowa

Iowa welcomed the Xfinity Series back in dramatic fashion on Saturday.

Kyle Larson takes pole for inaugural Cup Series race at Iowa

Saturday's qualifying session for the Iowa Corn 350 was one of the most interesting sessions of the season so far.

Corey Heim's dominance in NASCAR Truck Series something to behold

While Corey Heim won't win 15 races this season, his dominance is something to behold. 

Kings of the bullring: NASCAR'S five best short-track drivers

Short-track racing is inherently tied to stock car racing. With a short track on deck this weekend, let's look at the best drivers at maneuvering such tracks.

Former NASCAR champion expected to retire at end of 2024

Along with the 2017 championship, the driver boasts 34 career NASCAR Cup Series wins, including victories in crown jewels such as the Coca-Cola 600 and Southern 500. 

Why 23XI Racing choosing Riley Herbst over Corey Heim for a third car would be a mistake

While Herbst would bring sponsorship — which is easily the most important component of any race team — to 23XI, the move would be quite confusing, especially considering 23XI's past actions in free agency. 

Le Mans winner tapped to drive for RFK Racing in Chicago Street Race

2016 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Joey Hand will pilot the No. 60 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for RFK Racing on the streets of Chicago, making his first NASCAR Cup Series start since 2022. 

NASCAR midseason superlatives: Who has shined brightest?

With the NASCAR Cup Series season nearly halfway over, it's appropriate to hand out midseason awards to drivers who have risen above their peers. While the awards range in criteria, they all serve the same purpose: to salute the drivers who have proved why they are the world's best.

Todd Gilliland proving to be perfect fit for growing Front Row Motorsports

2024 has been a breakthrough season for Gilliland in the Cup Series, albeit a quiet one. 

Kyle Busch's career trajectory looking eerily similar to this seven-time NASCAR champion

To say Kyle Busch's 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season has been a disappointment would be a massive understatement.

Christopher Bell, No. 20 team showing championship pedigree

Over the past five races, the No. 20 team has shown that it may be ripe for a third straight Championship 4 appearance.

NASCAR playoffs bubble battle: Who rose, fell in standings after Sonoma

After Kyle Larson's victory at Sonoma on Sunday, just 10 races remain in the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series regular season. There were several shifts in the playoff standings after NASCAR's trip to wine country, so let's take a look at how the bubble drivers fared in Sonoma.

Kyle Larson wins strategical dogfight at chaotic Sonoma 

Just five days removed from the conclusion of Kyle Larson's waiver saga, it was back to business for the No. 5 team.

It's official: AJ Allmendinger is no longer the Xfinity Series road-course king

AJ Allmendinger might have finally met his road-course match in Shane Van Gisbergen.

Shane van Gisbergen makes literal late push to win Xfinity Series race at Sonoma

Shane van Gisbergen rolled to a second straight win in the Xfinity Series.