Cleetus McFarland is set to compete in both the ARCA and NASCAR Truck Series weekends at Michigan International Speedway as he keeps the ultimate aim of a Daytona 500 start alive.
From ARCA Plans to Realistic NASCAR Ambitions
During a recent Door Bumper Clear interview, Garrett Mitchell—known online as Cleetus McFarland—recalled his original conversation with former Cup driver Greg Biffle, asking whether a run in the ARCA Menards Series could open a path to the 500. Biffle’s answer, a firm “no,” forced Mitchell to acknowledge a larger skill gap than expected and to temper immediate Cup aspirations.
He later admitted that the criticism he received from podcast hosts Freddie Kraft and Tommy Baldwin Jr. highlighted NASCAR’s accelerated licensing process as a bigger hurdle than his YouTube fame, prompting newfound respect for drivers who compete full‑time across the three national touring tiers.
Recent Race Results and Setbacks
McFarland’s latest outing came in the NOAPS event at Nashville Superspeedway, where a spin on the final lap of Stage 1 and a subsequent pit‑road penalty relegated him to 35th place. The performance underscored the learning curve he continues to navigate while gaining valuable seat time.
Partnership with Richard Childress Racing and Forward Path
His developing alliance with Richard Childress Racing keeps the Daytona 500 dream in focus, yet Mitchell emphasizes a patient approach: “I’m having so much fun that the journey may become more than just a single race.” He plans to add the Michigan weekend’s ARCA and Truck events to his schedule, using the experiences to refine his craft and gauge readiness for the sport’s marquee race.
"