Cleetus McFarland has taken a decisive step up the NASCAR ladder by acquiring a flagship Pro Late Model, the No. 33 Rette Jones Racing Chevrolet that he debuted on YouTube.
During a full-day session at Tri‑County Speedway, the new car accelerated into turn after turn, spurred by a brief spin yet delivering grip and horsepower that felt manageable and ahead of its class.
Tri‑County Test Shows Pros of New Pro Late Model
McFarland split the track time between short‑recipe racing and high‑speed bursts, finishing the day with a taste of close‑quarters competition that he said would sharpen his racecraft far more efficiently than ARCA travel fees.
Upcoming Track Goals and Racing Plans
The driver plans to launch the machine at Berlin Raceway in Michigan and then compete in a series of late‑model events hosted on his own Freedom Factory oval in Florida.
He highlighted that the car’s braking performance is “crazy good,” and that the vehicle’s sliding attitude is less terrifying than he expected, thanks to lower speed and better grip.
Career Momentum Foreshadows RCR Opportunity
McFarland’s next high‑profile outing is the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Talladega Superspeedway on October 23, following a near‑victory at the same track in the 2024 ARCA race and a solid second-place finish behind Andy Jankowiak.
Having made his NASCAR Truck and O’Reilly debuts this year, he acknowledges the steep learning curve and has secured a two‑year deal with Richard Childress Racing to hone his skills.
With a year ahead to refine his late‑model prowess and a partnership with the storied RCR, McFarland is well positioned to translate his emerging talent into the next tier of stock‑car racing.
Photo credit: Jeff Robinson / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
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