Cleetus McFarland will give the command to start engines in Michigan NASCAR race
Garrett Mitchell, widely known to millions as the YouTuber Cleetus McFarland, is accelerating his transition from internet content creator to professional stock car driver. This weekend, the 31-year-old faces a rigorous test of endurance and skill at the Michigan International Speedway, participating in both the ARCA series and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS).
A High-Stakes Weekend at Michigan
Mitchell’s schedule begins on Friday with an appearance in the ARCA race, where he will pilot the No. 30 Rette Jones Racing entry. He will be joined on the track by fellow content creator George ‘Squirrel’ Siciliano, adding a unique dynamic to the field.
The intensity increases on Saturday as Mitchell makes his second career start in the NCTS, his first since the season-opening race at Daytona. Driving the No. 4 Niece Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado, he will share the garage with seasoned Cup Series veterans Ross Chastain and Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Did You Know?
In a unique turn of events, Michigan International Speedway has named Cleetus McFarland the ‘Grand Marshal’ for Saturday’s Truck race, tasking him with delivering the command to start engines from inside his truck.
The significance of this weekend lies in Mitchell’s effort to gain meaningful seat time after a challenging start to his professional racing tenure. His lone previous Truck Series outing in February ended prematurely after just five laps due to a crash at the exit of Turn 4, and his recent run in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series was marked by spins and pit road penalties.
Expert Insight:
For a driver transitioning from the digital space to the high-pressure environment of NASCAR, these back-to-back entries represent a critical development phase. By pairing with a team like Niece Motorsports and competing alongside veterans like Chastain and Stenhouse Jr., Mitchell is positioning himself to learn from top-tier talent, though his recent history of on-track incidents suggests that consistency remains his biggest hurdle.
What Lies Ahead
As Mitchell continues to discuss his racing progression—including recent insights shared on the Door Bumper Clear podcast—this weekend could serve as a litmus test for his future in the sport. If he can avoid the mechanical issues and driving errors that plagued his previous starts, he may prove his viability as a serious competitor in the national touring series.
Fans can follow the progress of his No. 4 entry and view his specific paint scheme HERE. Coverage of the NCTS event will be broadcast on FOX Sports 1, with the green flag scheduled for shortly after 1:30pm EST.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cleetus McFarland’s real name?
His real name is Garrett Mitchell.
Which teams will Cleetus McFarland be driving for this weekend?
He will drive the No. 30 Rette Jones Racing entry for the ARCA race and the No. 4 Niece Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
What happened during his previous Truck Series start?
His only previous start in the series occurred in February and ended after five laps when he crashed at the exit of Turn 4 after getting loose.
Do you believe that successful content creators can effectively bridge the gap to becoming full-time professional race car drivers?