Garrett Mitchell, better known by his racing alter ego, Cleetus McFarland, is a shining star on the NASCAR scene, amassing a substantial following through his YouTube channel and social media platforms. Originating from Nebraska, this dynamic racer and content creator has captivated millions with his distinctive car builds, exhilarating drag races, and engaging motorsport videos. Mitchell’s journey from a social media sensation to a participant in the ARCA Menards Series has been nothing short of inspiring, signaling a future filled with potential and promise.
Mitchell, who operates under the pseudonym Cleetus McFarland, is an entrepreneur and racer who has carved out a niche for himself with his captivating motorsport-themed content. Based in Florida, he has garnered over four million followers on YouTube, thanks to his passion for crafting unique automobiles and embracing high-speed adventures. His popular segments, such as ‘Leroy the Savage’ and the ‘Leroy Build Series,’ have helped him cultivate a dedicated fan base that has remained loyal over the years.
Mitchell often features his wife, Madi Mitchell, and their two children, Ripper and Ella, in his videos, highlighting their shared passion for cars and racing. In an altruistic move, Mitchell, along with Greg Biffle, used their helicopters to deliver supplies to communities in North Carolina stranded in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
Despite residing in Florida, Mitchell stayed at Biffle’s home in Leicester while they participated in the relief effort. Mitchell’s helicopter, an MD 500 dubbed Consuela, was instrumental in establishing landing zones and aiding locals on the ground. The extent of the tropical cyclone’s devastation was severe, with Mitchell urging his viewers to imagine the news coverage and then multiply it by ten to grasp the reality of the situation.
Mitchell launched his YouTube channel in 2009, and in 2015, he adopted the moniker ‘Cleetus McFarland’ after creating a character that took the Rocky Mountain Drag Week by storm with Tom Bailey. His followers began associating him with this screen name, relegating his real name, Garrett Mitchell, to his close-knit circle of friends and family.
Mitchell’s rise to fame in the motorsports world started when he built a bodyless Chevrolet Corvette C5 with an exo-cage, affectionately named ‘Leroy.’ This vehicle quickly became a crowd-pleaser, amassing numerous trophies and setting personal and world records. Inspired by this success, Mitchell built a multi-purpose race car using a Chevrolet El Camino as the base.
In 2020, Mitchell purchased the deserted Desoto Speedway in Florida, rebranding it as Freedom Factory. The venue has since been featured in multiple videos but also sparked controversy when Parker Whitlock suffered third-degree burns during one of Mitchell’s “Cleetus and Cars” events.
Despite spinning out on the final jump and losing the lead to Robby Gordon in the Stadium Super Trucks, Mitchell tasted victory in November 2022 when he defeated Carlos Olivo in the McLeod Racing Warriors VS Tres Cuarto category of the 26th Annual Haltech World Cup Finals Import & Domestic Drag Races. The following year, Mitchell continued his winning streak, securing a win in the Grannas Racing Stick Shift class category in his bodyless Chevrolet Corvette, “Leroy.”
Impressive performances in the Stadium Super Trucks series led to Mitchell’s debut in the ARCA Menards Series in 2025. Racing under his real name, Mitchell drove the No. 30 Ford for Rette Jones Racing, finishing in a commendable 30th place at Daytona International Speedway on his debut.
As Mitchell’s career progresses, fans anticipate his entry into one of NASCAR’s three national series. However, this Nebraska native needs to garner more experience at the grassroots level before advancing. Nevertheless, given his popularity, strong brand presence, and potential, securing sponsors for a NASCAR seat may not pose a significant challenge.
After his debut at Daytona, Mitchell is preparing for his second ARCA Menards Series appearance. As revealed on Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s podcast, Mitchell is creating content around this event for his YouTube channel, hinting at a possible in-car livestream at the General Tire 200. Mitchell’s aim is to surpass his 30th-place finish at Daytona ARCA 200, but only time will tell if he can achieve this in his second race of the season.
