In Fontana, California, on February 29, 2020, Alex Bowman, driver of the #88 Cincinnati Chevrolet, grabbed attention when he showed his support for Cleetus McFarland, an emerging star in the ARCA Series. This gesture from Hendrick Motorsports highlighted the impressive progress McFarland, who first gained notoriety as a YouTuber, has made on the race track.
Cleetus McFarland, also known as Garrett Mitchell, was a huge fan of stock car racing long before he began featuring on YouTube with his wild builds and thrilling displays of power. His fiery enthusiasm for racing gradually transformed his once digital pursuit into reality. Now, McFarland’s talents are getting noticed in the NASCAR garage, with Bowman stepping forward to heap considerable praise on him.
Alex Bowman and Cleetus McFarland share a long-standing, supportive friendship centered around mutual respect. Their bond has been essential in helping McFarland transition into the world of stock car racing. Notably, Bowman gave honest and insightful commentary about McFarland’s progress in the racing arena during the Talladega weekend.
McFarland first made a mark with his impactful debut at the Daytona race, where his post-race interview went viral. His skill as a race driver, under the mentorship of Greg Biffle, is noticeable, especially from his performance at Daytona, despite suffering from a DNF. In response to a question from FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass, Bowman praised McFarland’s shift into the NASCAR world, stating that while he is famous as a YouTuber, he also participates in serious racing, accumulating priceless track experience during his journey.
Bowman cited the wisdom McFarland demonstrated while learning from significant figures in the industry. Among the influential people guiding the YouTuber is none other than Dale Earnhardt Jr., who has been crucial in preparing McFarland for his races at Daytona and Talladega.
Cleetus McFarland made a swift rise up the competitive racing ladder with Bowman lauding his quick move to ARCA despite his limited experience. Notably, McFarland has only participated in two ARCA Menards Series races, but his large persona has already made an impact in stock car racing. However, Bowman acknowledges, that some may mistake his dynamic personality as not being serious about racing.
Nonetheless, Bowman clarified that despite his vibrant showmanship, McFarland approaches racing with earnest dedication and professionalism – traits that are commendable and indicative of a serious, potential-filled racer.
The Impact of Cleetus McFarland’s Racing Journey
Cleetus McFarland made a solid impression during the ARCA Menards Series General Tire 200 at the Talladega Superspeedway. Driving the No. 30 Ford Mustang for Rette Jones Racing, McFarland navigated wisely and avoided major incidents, resulting in a laudable tenth-place finish in just his second ARCA start.
Several competitors and fans alike praised McFarland’s performance. Among the admirers was veteran Max Papis, who mentioned, “He’s just a bad— racecar driver, that he fakes to be a YouTuber… He’s an amazing person outside the car, inside the car…” Greg Biffle, also congratulated McFarland on his performance, indicating his belief in McFarland’s potential to win.
Beyond the exciting race results, McFarland’s infectious passion and humility have earned him well-deserved respect and regard in the garage. His unlikely transition from a viral video content creator to an awe-inspiring racer has gained him new fans while concurrently reinforcing his reputation as a credible race driver. His commitment and eagerness to learn coupled with his quickly growing racing experience are a testament to his preparedness to make a mark in the world of stock car racing.
