If there’s one thing Cleetus McFarland does, it’s go full throttle, no matter the stage. Whether it’s melting tires at the Freedom Factory, throwing down in a burnout contest, or taking on the legendary high banks of Daytona, McFarland’s energy is as wide-open as the throttle in his race cars.
But there’s a stark difference between YouTube racing and the chaos of real-world stock car warfare, and McFarland got a firsthand taste of Daytona’s ruthless nature in his ARCA Menards Series debut.
For a few thrilling laps, it was pure magic.
Then, in the blink of an eye, Daytona did what it does best—it bit back.
A YouTube Sensation Takes on the “World Center of Racing”
McFarland, whose real name is Garrett Mitchell, entered Speedweeks 2025 as one of the most hyped storylines of the ARCA season opener.
With 3+ million YouTube subscribers and an army of loyal fans, his debut in the Ride The Dente 200 was more than just a race—it was a social media event, a chance to prove that he could do more than just entertain from behind the camera.
And for a while, he delivered.
“Well, I was having the best day of my life, rippin’ around Daytona like a bald eagle,” McFarland said post-race, still beaming despite the tough result.
He dodged an early wreck, kept pace with the pack, and for a brief, glorious moment, felt like the best driver on Earth.
“I thought I was the best driver to ever exist in that moment.”
But then, reality hit like a restrictor-plate freight train.
Daytona Strikes: “I Zigged When I Should’ve Zagged”
McFarland’s hero moment was short-lived. On Lap 5, things unraveled in a hurry.
Heading into Turn 2, Amber Balcaen got loose and spun, triggering a chain reaction. McFarland tried to avoid the chaos, but in classic superspeedway fashion, his attempt to escape made things worse.
“I zigged when I should’ve zagged, man,” he joked afterward. “And bam! Blew the front end right off my hot rod.”
His No. 87 Chevrolet got clipped, sending him hard into the outside wall, ending his night almost as quickly as it began.
“Then somebody slammed into my rear left corner, spun me out, lived through that, got some fresh tires, went back out there… then it all went downhill.”
Kyle Steckly also got collected in the crash, solidifying it as a classic Daytona wreck—a few split-second decisions gone wrong, and suddenly, it’s over.
Bouncing Back: The Cleetus Mentality Never Dies
Despite the early exit, McFarland never lost his sense of humor.
Standing trackside after the crash, he got distracted mid-interview by an F-16 fighter jet taking off in the distance.
“I’m a pilot of Consuela, you know what I mean? I got essentially the baddest aircraft in the country, but that F-16 is cool stuff.”
That’s pure Cleetus McFarland—always having fun, even when Daytona eats his lunch.
What’s Next? Will McFarland Return for More?
While his ARCA debut didn’t go as planned, one thing is clear—Daytona won’t be his last rodeo.
His raw excitement, fearless approach, and never-say-die attitude won over even the most skeptical stock car fans, proving that he wasn’t just here for clicks—he was here to compete.
And if there’s one thing we know about Cleetus McFarland, it’s that he doesn’t quit.
So, the only question now is: What’s next? More ARCA? A NASCAR Xfinity ride? Something completely insane?
Whatever it is, you can bet he’ll have his sleeves cut off and his foot to the floor.
