Cleetus McFarland - Wikipedia

American YouTuber and racing driver (born 1995) NASCAR driver

Cleetus McFarland
Mitchell in 2024
Born	Lawrence Garrett Mitchell (1995-04-05) April 5, 1995 (age 30)Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
Achievements	2025 2.4 Hours of LeMullets Winner2023 Freedom 500 Winner
NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series career
Car no., team	No. 33 (Richard Childress Racing)
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series career
1 race run over 1 year
Truck no., team	No. 4 (Niece Motorsports)
First race	2026 Fresh From Florida 250 (Daytona)
Wins Top tens Poles 0 0 0
ARCA Menards Series career
5 races run over 2 years
ARCA no., team	No. 30 (Rette Jones Racing)
Best finish	40th (2025)
First race	2025 Ride the 'Dente 200 (Daytona)
Last race	2026 General Tire 200 (Daytona)
Wins Top tens Poles 0 2 0
ARCA Menards Series East career
1 race run over 1 year
Best finish	61st (2025)
First race	2025 Bush's Beans 200 (Bristol)
Wins Top tens Poles 0 0 0
YouTube information
Channel	Cleetus McFarland
Years active	2009–present
Subscribers	4.6 million
Views	1.84 billion
Last updated: February 2026
Statistics up to date as of February 14, 2026.

Lawrence Garrett Mitchell[1] (born April 5, 1995), known professionally as Cleetus McFarland, is an American YouTuber and professional stock car racing driver. As of January 2026, he has over 4.6 million subscribers.[2] He competes part-time in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series, driving the No. 33 Chevrolet Camaro SS for Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 4 Chevrolet Silverado RST for Niece Motorsports and part-time in the ARCA Menards Series, driving the No. 30 Ford Mustang GT for Rette Jones Racing.

YouTube career

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On January 28, 2009, Mitchell started his YouTube channel, around the same time he became the social media manager for car media company 1320Video.[3] He eventually left 1320Video to pursue a full-time career with his own YouTube channel.[4]

In 2015, Mitchell adopted the moniker "Cleetus McFarland" after a character he created that went viral at the annual Rocky Mountain Race Week with Tom Bailey. The name Cleetus was quickly adopted by his YouTube channel and is now how he is most referred to, rarely hearing his real name used outside of close friends and family.

Mitchell would then go on to create a bodyless Chevrolet Corvette C5 with an exo-cage named "Leroy". Leroy built a major fan following online, winning numerous trophies and setting both personal and world records. After finding career success as a YouTube content creator and racing enthusiast, he built a purpose-built race car from a Chevrolet El Camino known as "Mullet".[3]

Freedom Factory

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In January 2020, Mitchell bought the abandoned Desoto Speedway, a 3/8 mi Asphalt Oval & Figure 8 Track in Manatee County, Florida,[5][6] and later renamed the track to Freedom Factory.[7]

During one of Mitchell's "Cleetus and Cars" events in November 2020, Parker Whitlock suffered third-degree burns due to a radiator hose explosion.[8] Until this event, drivers that entered the competition were not required to be wearing a full fire suit. During Whitlock's burnout in his bodyless Ford Mustang, a radiator hose routed past the driver exploded. Because Whitlock was only wearing a hoodie and shorts, he suffered third-degree burns and required multiple skin grafts.[9]

In addition, ahead of the November 2020 “Cleetus & Cars” event, Mitchell publicly downplayed the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic[10], stating that he believed the threat had been exaggerated and that restrictions on public gatherings were excessive.[11] After contracting COVID-19 later that year, Mitchell said that his experience with the illness “really wasn’t anything to worry about.”[12] He also said that he proceeded with holding the event in part due to financial pressures related to operating the track and commitments to sponsors and participants.[13]

Racing career

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Stadium Super Trucks

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On April 6, 2022, it was announced on The Checkered Flag that Mitchell would make his debut in the Stadium Super Trucks at Long Beach, California, racing the No. 1776 truck as Cleetus McFarland.[4] In the weekend's second of two races, he was leading on the final lap, poised to take the victory until the last jump, when he spun out after his truck hit the ground, leaving Robby Gordon to claim the win.[14] Another attempt came at the Music City Grand Prix in August, but he was involved in crashes in both races; the second race saw him get squeezed into the wall while racing Gavin Harlien and Robert Stout, causing him to flip onto his roof.[15] He invited the trucks to his Bristol 1000 at Bristol Motor Speedway a month later, where he finished third in Race 2.[16]

Drag racing

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On November 6, 2022, Mitchell & his crew won 1st place after eliminating Carlos Olivo in the McLeod Racing Warriors VS Tres Cuarto category of the 26th Annual Haltech World Cup Finals Import & Domestic Drag Races in the 4 day event. His Chevrolet El Camino (Mullet) managed an elapsed time of 6.474 seconds at a top speed of 222.95 mph on the final round of the elimination race.[17]

Returning to the event in 2023, he won in the Grannas Racing Stick Shift class driving his body-less Chevrolet Corvette "Leroy" with time of 7.325 and speed of 203.95 mph in the finals.[18]

ARCA Menards Series

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2025

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In 2025, it was revealed that Mitchell would participate in the pre-season test for the ARCA Menards Series at Daytona International Speedway, driving the No. 30 Ford for Rette Jones Racing as Garrett Mitchell.[19][20] On January 15, it was announced on Facebook that Mitchell would drive in the season opener at Daytona for RJR also as Garrett Mitchell.[21][22] He finished in 30th after being involved in a multi-car crash over a quarter of the way through the race. Mitchell would continue to announce that he would return with the team at Talladega Superspeedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, and the ARCA Menards Series East combination race at Bristol Motor Speedway.[23][24][25]

2026

[edit]

After the race at Bristol, it was confirmed that Mitchell will return to ARCA in 2026 on a partial schedule.[26]

NASCAR

[edit]

O'Reilly Auto Parts Series

[edit]

2026

[edit]

On March 4, 2026, it was announced that McFarland would drive three races in the No. 33 for Richard Childress Racing starting at Rockingham Speedway in April.[27]

Craftsman Truck Series

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2026

[edit]

On February 4, 2026 it was announced that McFarland would begin testing at Rockingham Speedway to attempt to get approval to make his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut in the No. 4 for Niece Motorsports.[28] He started 12th in the 2026 Fresh From Florida 250 but got loose off turn 4 on lap 6 and hit the inside wall finishing 37th.

Motorsports career results

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NASCAR

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(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

O'Reilly Auto Parts Series

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NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series results
Year	Team	No.	Make	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26	27	28	29	30	31	32	33	NOAPSC	Pts	Ref
2026	Richard Childress Racing	33	Chevy	DAY	ATL	COA	PHO	LVS	DAR	MAR	CAR	BRI	KAN	TAL	TEX	GLN	DOV	CLT	NSH	POC	COR	SON	CHI	ATL	IND	IOW	DAY	DAR	GTW	BRI	LVS	CLT	PHO	TAL	MAR	HOM	-*	-*

Craftsman Truck Series

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NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series results
Year	Team	No.	Make	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	NCTC	Pts	Ref
2026	Niece Motorsports	4	Chevy	DAY37	ATL	STP	DAR	CAR	BRI	TEX	GLN	DOV	CLT	NSH	MCH	COR	LRP	NWS	IRP	RCH	NHA	BRI	KAN	CLT	PHO	TAL	MAR	HOM	-*	-*	[29]

* Season still in progress 1 Ineligible for series points

ARCA Menards Series

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(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

ARCA Menards Series results
Year	Team	No.	Make	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	AMSC	Pts	Ref
2025	Rette Jones Racing	30	Ford	DAY30	PHO	TAL10	KAN	CLT9	MCH	BLN	ELK	LRP	DOV	IRP	IOW	GLN	ISF	MAD	DSF	BRI17	SLM	KAN	TOL	40th	110	[30]
2026				DAY11	PHO	KAN	TAL	GLN	TOL	MCH	POC	BER	ELK	CHI	LRP	IRP	IOW	ISF	MAD	DSF	SLM	BRI	KAN	-*	-*	[31]

ARCA Menards Series East

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ARCA Menards Series East results
Year	Team	No.	Make	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	AMSEC	Pts	Ref
2025	Rette Jones Racing	30	Ford	FIF	CAR	NSV	FRS	DOV	IRP	IOW	BRI17	61st	27	[32]

Stadium Super Trucks

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(key) (Bold – Pole position. Italics – Fastest qualifier. * – Most laps led.)

Stadium Super Trucks results
Year	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	SSTC	Pts	Ref
2022	LBH10	LBH9*	MOH	MOH	NSH10	NSH9*	BRI12	BRI3*	9th	84	[33]

* Season in progress.

References

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1. ^ "Who is Cleetus McFarland? Probably the most interesting car guy on YouTube, that's all". DriveAndReview. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
2. ^ Koki, Taro (February 24, 2025). "YouTuber Cleetus McFarland's impact on NASCAR shows how influencers are changing the game". RACER. Racer Media & Marketing, inc. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
3. ^ a b Hachat, Josh (April 3, 2020). "The Triumph of Garrett Mitchell". Drag Illustrated. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
4. ^ a b Nguyen, Justin (April 6, 2022). "Cleetus McFarland to make SST debut at Long Beach". The Checkered Flag. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
5. ^ Adams, Rick (February 3, 2020). "YouTube star Cleetus McFarland buys Desoto Speedway in Manatee County". My Sun Coast. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
6. ^ "New Owner For Desoto Speedway (FL)". Performance Racing Industry. February 11, 2020. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
7. ^ "Freedom Factory USA (fka DeSoto Speedway) in Bradenton, FL". RacingIn.com. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
8. ^ Paulo Acoba (November 24, 2020). "Cleetus & Cars burnout participant suffers 3rd degree burns after radiator hose blows on his homebrew Fox Body kart". Alt Car news. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
9. ^ Smith, Steve Cole (November 29, 2020). "YouTube Star Cleetus McFarland Accused of Hiding Car Show Participant's Severe Injuries". The Drive. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
10. ^ [10]
11. ^ [10]
12. ^ [11]
13. ^ [12]
14. ^ McTaggart, Bryan (April 12, 2022). "Yeehaw By Fire: Cleetus Takes On Super Stadium Truck Racing And Damn Near Wins!". BangShift.com. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
15. ^ Atadero, Julybien (August 9, 2022). "Watch Cleetus McFarland Wreck His Stadium Super Truck While Racing In Nashville". HotCars. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
16. ^ Nguyen, Justin (September 5, 2022). "Robert Stout beats McFarland for SST Bristol Race 2 win". The Checkered Flag. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
17. ^ Dali, Jimmy (November 6, 2022). "MCLEOD RACING WARRIORS VS TRES CUARTO Elimination Results". Import vs Domestic. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
18. ^ "Drag Racing World Cup Finals Results: Cleetus McFarland Wins In Stick Shift - FloRacing". www.floracing.com. November 6, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
19. ^ Srigley, Joseph (January 8, 2025). "77 Drivers on Entry List for ARCA Pre-Season Practice at Daytona". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved January 8, 2025.
20. ^ "Entry list for the 2025 ARCA Menards Series pre-race practice at Daytona". ARCA Racing.com. Retrieved January 8, 2025.
21. ^ Garrett Mitchell (January 15, 2025). "(Facebook post)". Facebook. Retrieved January 15, 2025. Well folks, I was trying to keep this a secret but word spreads fast…we're going NASCAR RACIN!!! February 15 I'll be racing at Daytona in the #30 Kenetik Energy Gen 5 ARCA Mustang.
22. ^ Christie, Toby (January 16, 2025). "Cleetus McFarland Going ARCA Racing at Daytona with Rette Jones Racing". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
23. ^ Wayman, Declan (February 20, 2025). "YouTube Sensation Garrett Mitchell Returns To ARCA Race At Talladega With Rette Jones Racing". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved February 20, 2025.
24. ^ Garrett Mitchell (May 16, 2025). "(Facebook post)". Facebook. Retrieved May 16, 2025. Fire me up!!! I'll be turning left in the @bekenetik #30 next weekend in Charlotte 🇺🇸
25. ^ "Cleetus McFarland Call Out NASCAR Drivers Who Jump to Cup and "Look Like Idiots"". DailyDownforce.com. April 3, 2025. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
26. ^ "Cleetus McFarland Confirms Return to ARCA Competition in 2026". Frontstretch. September 11, 2025. Retrieved September 15, 2025.
27. ^ ""Cleetus McFarland" to Make NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series Debut with Richard Childress Racing in 2026". www.rcrracing.com. Retrieved 2026-03-04.
28. ^ "Niece Motorsports on Facebook". Facebook. February 4, 2026. Retrieved February 4, 2026.
29. ^ "Garrett Mitchell – 2026 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
30. ^ "Garrett Mitchell – 2025 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 15, 2025.
31. ^ "Garrett Mitchell – 2026 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
32. ^ "Garrett Mitchell – 2025 ARCA Menards Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
33. ^ "2022 Overall Point Standings". Stadium Super Trucks. Retrieved April 20, 2023.

External links

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• Official website
• Cleetus McFarland's channel on YouTube

Achievements
Preceded byKeith McGee and Derek Bieri	2.4 Hours of LeMullets Winner 2025	Succeeded byIncumbent

v t e Richard Childress Racing
Headquarters: Welcome, North Carolina
Personnel	Richard Childress Mike Dillon Torrey Galida Mike Verlander Keith Rodden Derek Kneeland Sammy Johns Johnny Klausmeier Chocolate Myers
NASCAR Cup Series	Drivers (3) Austin Dillon (8) Kyle Busch (33) Jesse Love (part-time) Crew chiefs (3) Richard Boswell (8) Jim Pohlman (33) Andy Street
NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series	Drivers (2) Jesse Love (21) Austin Hill (33) Cleetus McFarland (part-time) Crew chiefs (2) Danny Stockman (21) Chad Haney (33) TBA
NASCAR Hall of Fame	Richard Childress Dale Earnhardt Dale Earnhardt Jr. Ron Hornaday Jr. Bobby Labonte Ricky Rudd Kirk Shelmerdine Tony Stewart
Former drivers	Winners Clint Bowyer Jeff Burton Joey Coulter Robby Gordon Jeff Green Kevin Harvick Michael McDowell Paul Menard Ryan Newman Jeff Purvis Tyler Reddick Ricky Rudd Elliott Sadler Jay Sauter Johnny Sauter Mike Skinner Scott Wimmer Other drivers John Andretti Anthony Alfredo Dakoda Armstrong Earl Bamber Ed Berrier Dave Blaney Neil Bonnett Jason Bowles Jeb Burton Will Brown Sean Caisse Ted Christopher Rodney Combs Cale Conley Matt Crafton Ricky Craven Sheldon Creed Mike Dillon Ty Dillon Kerry Earnhardt Brendan Gaughan Tim George Jr. Ryan Gifford Joe Graf Jr. Kaz Grala Kyle Grissom Daniel Hemric Jimmy Hensley Sam Hornish Jr. Jim Inglebright Brandon Jones P. J. Jones Kasey Kahne Ben Kennedy Brodie Kostecki Travis Kvapil Bobby Labonte Scott Lagasse Jr. Randy LaJoie Shane Lee Stephen Leicht Mardy Lindley Rick Mast David Mayhew Tim McCreadie Casey Mears Brandon Miller Steve Park Timothy Peters Jeff Purvis Scott Riggs Hermie Sadler Jim Sauter Ken Schrader Brian Scott Michael Self Kirk Shelmerdine Morgan Shepherd Brian Simo Regan Smith Myatt Snider Matt Tifft John Wes Townley Kenny Wallace Mike Wallace Alex Yontz
Former personnel	Todd Berrier Drew Blickensderfer Matt Borland Randall Burnett Nick Harrison Bobby Hutchens Slugger Labbe Luke Lambert Gil Martin Matt McCall Larry McReynolds Todd Parrott Andy Petree Mike Shiplett Kirk Shelmerdine Shane Wilson
NASCAR Cup Series Championships	1986 (Earnhardt) 1987 (Earnhardt) 1990 (Earnhardt) 1991 (Earnhardt) 1993 (Earnhardt) 1994 (Earnhardt)
NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series Championships	Drivers' Championship 2001 (Harvick) 2006 (Harvick) 2008 (Bowyer) 2013 (A. Dillon) 2019 (Reddick) 2025 (Love) Owners' Championship 2001 (No. 2) 2006 (No. 21) 2007 (No. 29) 2019 (No. 2) Regular Season Championship 2019 (Reddick) 2023 (A. Hill)
NASCAR Truck Series Championships	1995 (Skinner) 2011 (A. Dillon)
ARCA Menards Series Championships	2011 (T. Dillon)
Daytona 500 wins	1998 (Earnhardt) 2007 (Harvick) 2018 (A. Dillon)
Brickyard 400 wins	1995 (Earnhardt) 2003 (Harvick) 2011 (Menard)
Coca-Cola 600 wins	1986 (Earnhardt) 1992 (Earnhardt) 1993 (Earnhardt) 2011 (Harvick) 2013 (Harvick) 2017 (A. Dillon)
Southern 500 wins	1987 (Earnhardt) 1989 (Earnhardt) 1990 (Earnhardt)
Winston 500 wins	1990 (Earnhardt) 1994 (Earnhardt) 1999 (Earnhardt) 2000 (Earnhardt)
All-Star Race wins	1987 (Earnhardt) 1990 (Earnhardt) 1993 (Earnhardt) 2007 (Harvick)
Cook Out Clash wins	1986 (Earnhardt) 1988 (Earnhardt) 1991 (Earnhardt) 1993 (Earnhardt) 1995 (Earnhardt) 2009 (Harvick) 2010 (Harvick) 2013 (Harvick)
Partnerships and affiliations	3F Racing Action Express Racing Beard Motorsports Big Machine Racing Erebus Motorsport FRS Racing Juncos Racing Kaulig Racing Live Fast Motorsports Marsh Racing NY Racing Team Rick Ware Racing SS-Green Light Racing Trackhouse Racing Viking Motorsports Wayne Taylor Racing
Other	Richard Childress Racing Museum

v t e Rette Jones Racing
Headquarters: Mooresville, North Carolina
Personnel	Mark Rette Terry Jones Greg Zipadelli
ARCA Menards Series	Drivers (30) Garrett Mitchell (part-time) (76) Kole Raz (part-time) Crew chiefs (30) Mark Rette (76) Greg Zipadelli
ARCA Menards Series East	Drivers (0) George Siciliano (part-time) Crew chiefs (0) TBA
NASCAR Euro Series	Drivers (30) Liam Hezemans (PRO) / Gil Linster (OPEN)
Former drivers	Amber Balcaen Justin Bonsignore Conor Daly Spencer Davis Corey Deuser Tyler Dippel Chad Finley Noah Gragson Max Gutiérrez Terry Jones Adam Lemke Landen Lewis Jesse Little Justin Lofton Dylan Lupton Frankie Muniz Grant Quinlan Kyle Steckly Dominique Van Wieringen Tristan Van Wieringen Cole Williams Kris Wright Brittney Zamora Clair Zimmerman
Partnerships and affiliations	AM Racing Austin Theriault Ford Racing Rev Racing Spencer Davis Motorsports Young's Motorsports

v t e Niece Motorsports
Headquarters: Statesville, North Carolina
Personnel	Al Niece Josh Morris Greg Fowler Cody Efaw Phil Gould
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series	Drivers (4) Garrett Mitchell / Ben Maier / Connor Hall / TBA (part-time) (42) Travis Pastrana / Tyler Reif / Conner Jones / Parker Eatmon (part-time) (44) Andrés Pérez de Lara (45) Ricky Stenhouse Jr. / Ross Chastain / Landen Lewis (part-time) (TBA) Bayley Currey Crew chiefs (4) Mike Shiplett (42) Landon Polinski (44) Wally Rogers (45) Phil Gould (TBA) TBA
Former drivers	Jeffrey Abbey Lawless Alan Morgan Alexander Trevor Bayne Logan Bearden T. J. Bell Kyle Benjamin Josh Bilicki Danny Bohn James Buescher Jeb Burton Tyler Carpenter Conor Daly Erik Darnell Spencer Davis Natalie Decker Justin Fontaine Colin Garrett Victor Gonzalez Jr. Kaz Grala Matt Gould Chris Hacker Carson Hocevar Kaden Honeycutt Landon Huffman Gary Klutt Kyle Larson Ty Majeski Justin Marks Max McLaughlin Matt Mills Brett Moffitt Connor Mosack Jett Noland Stefan Parsons Timothy Peters Angela Ruch Johnny Sauter Austin Wayne Self Casey Smith Mark Smith Garrett Smithley Dean Thompson Ryan Truex Shane van Gisbergen Reid Wilson Kris Wright Connor Zilisch
Partnerships and affiliations	Jordan Anderson Racing Trackhouse Racing