Garrett Mitchell, also known to fans as Cleetus McFarland, has secured a part-time driving contract with Richard Childress Racing, marking a significant step in his racing career. The Richard Childress Racing NASCAR deal will see McFarland compete in three points races each season for the next two years in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.
Details of McFarland’s Racing Agreement and Upcoming Debut
Mitchell’s deal includes backing from Tommy’s Express Car Wash for the duration of the contract. The partnership will launch officially with McFarland’s NASCAR Truck Series debut at Rockingham Speedway’s Black’s Tire 200, taking place on Saturday, April 3. This marks the YouTuber’s inaugural run with Richard Childress Racing in the series, a notable progression for someone whose presence grew mainly through digital content.
Sharing his excitement, McFarland posted,
“I can’t believe | get to say this, but I’m officially a driver at @rcrracing for the Oreilly’s Series,”
Cleetus McFarland wrote in his latest Instagram post.
“This is a part time deal (3 races a year right now) but hopefully it grows into something bigger. They called me and basically said we want to make you a better driver and give you an opportunity to grow in this sport…. To which I said HELL YEAH BROTHER.”
– Cleetus McFarland, Driver
Reactions from the Racing Community
NASCAR Cup Series regular Carson Hocevar shared his encouragement for McFarland’s new journey with Richard Childress Racing. Commenting on social media, Hocevar urged, “Shake and bake brotha.” – Carson Hocevar, Spire Motorsports Driver
Earlier this season, McFarland debuted in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Daytona International Speedway but suffered a setback with a crash just six laps into the event, resulting in a DNF and a 37th-place finish. Hocevar was also part of the race, finishing 35th while Chandler Smith captured the first win of the 2026 season.
Spotter and Official Perspectives on the Deal
The announcement of McFarland’s association with Richard Childress Racing led to varied responses off the track. Freddie Kraft, longtime spotter for Bubba Wallace and well-known NASCAR insider, reignited previous debate about McFarland’s eligibility to race, emphasizing concerns over McFarland’s limited experience in high-level motorsport events.
Kraft commented,
“Crash at the Rockingham truck test. Crash Lap 5 of your only truck start. Good enough for me. Approved,”
Kraft wrote on social media.
“I don’t blame Cleetus one bit. We’d all jump at the chance to just show up and get approved.”
– Freddie Kraft, NASCAR Spotter
Kraft clarified that he does not have personal reservations about McFarland himself but questions the governing officials’ decisions regarding the approval process for drivers transitioning from the world of content creation to professional circuits.
What’s Next for McFarland and Other Drivers
Looking ahead, McFarland is also expected to participate in a part-time ARCA Menards Series schedule with Rette Jones Racing in 2026. Since launching his professional career the previous year, he has already made an impact with four ARCA Menards Series starts and has secured two top-10 finishes.
The next major event in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is the Buckle Up South Carolina 200 at Darlington Raceway, scheduled for March 20, 2026. Fans will be able to follow this 147-lap race live on FS1 from 3:30 p.m. ET, with radio coverage available on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. As McFarland’s racing journey with Richard Childress Racing continues, the industry will be watching closely to see how social media-fueled talent can shape the future landscape of professional motorsports.
