When Cleetus McFarland took Dale Earnhardt Jr. for his first-ever drag racing experience, the NASCAR legend found himself unexpectedly caught off guard. In a lighthearted moment during the race, Cleetus couldn’t resist roasting Earnhardt Jr. for lifting his foot off the accelerator, thus dubbing him with the humorous nickname “chicken foot.” This playful jab showcased the camaraderie and fun between the two racing enthusiasts.
The YouTube sensation and ARCA Menards Series driver, known as Garrett Mitchell, has been a long-time fan of Dale Earnhardt Jr. Over the years, his audience consistently encouraged him to invite Junior to drive the beloved ‘Dale Truck,’ a fan-favorite machine that has featured prominently in Cleetus’s content for nearly eight years. This dream finally became a reality on April 16 at Talladega when Earnhardt Jr. joined Cleetus for an exhilarating quarter-mile run.
Reflecting on this memorable experience during a recent NASCAR press conference, Cleetus shared how special it was for Dale Jr. to engage in his first drag racing venture. He mentioned that Junior was slightly taken aback by the raw power of the truck, which contributed to the amusing moment. Cleetus elaborated that in his friend circle, “chicken footing” refers to lifting off the throttle too soon, and it’s an event that typically invites some friendly teasing from the team. When questioned about how he managed to call out Dale Earnhardt Jr. so publicly, Cleetus laughed, explaining that the data logs confirmed Dale Jr.’s hesitation, making it impossible to deny.
The 30-year-old YouTuber expressed his surprise at Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s abilities behind the wheel of the Dale Truck, praising his experience and skill, particularly during burnouts. Beyond the banter, Cleetus acknowledged the important role that figures like Dale Earnhardt Jr., Greg Biffle, and Alex Bowman have played in his racing journey. While Biffle has been a part of his career from the beginning, McFarland has recently developed a friendship with Dale Jr. since their outing at the Talladega Superspeedway.
These seasoned racing veterans have offered Cleetus invaluable advice as he transitions from content creator to serious competitor. Despite being early in his ARCA Menards Series career, Cleetus aims to soak up as much wisdom as possible, particularly in areas such as patience and survival tactics, which are crucial in pack racing.
After facing challenges during a chaotic 2025 ARCA Menards Series opener, where he was involved in a couple of wrecks after just 19 laps at Daytona, he remains determined to improve. By integrating perspectives from multiple mentors, he hopes to make better decisions for the upcoming race weekend at Talladega Superspeedway.
Cleetus is scheduled to participate in the General Tire 200 at the historic 2.66-mile tri-oval, starting from P24. The #30 Kenetix ford/”>Ford driver recorded the ninth-fastest lap during practice, clocking in at 53.498 seconds. Meanwhile, William Sawalich will hold the pole position for the race, which is set to take place on Saturday, April 26 at 12:30 p.m. ET.
As fans eagerly await the next chapter of this intriguing racing journey, the dynamic between Cleetus McFarland and Dale Earnhardt Jr., marked by laughter and competition, promises to keep racing enthusiasts engaged and entertained.
