Kyle Petty, a respected name in the NASCAR world, has openly criticized the decision to bring internet celebrity Garrett Mitchell—also known as Cleetus McFarland—into the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series for the upcoming season. Petty questioned the judgment of Richard Childress Racing (RCR) and highlighted concerns about whether Mitchell’s popularity rather than his track record influenced the move.
The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series made headlines after RCR announced last week that Mitchell would participate in their program on a developmental basis. The arrangement, set to begin this season, will see Mitchell compete in three races. While some hail Mitchell’s presence in the garage as a sign of NASCAR’s growing reach, others cite his limited racing experience as a critical issue. In particular, Petty’s skepticism centers on the rationale behind giving such a coveted opportunity to someone known primarily for his online persona rather than extensive professional racing credentials.
Mitchell, who boasts a substantial following on platforms like YouTube, has five ARCA Menards Series starts and a single attempt in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series to his name. Despite a minor crash during his Truck Series approval test at Rockingham Speedway and an early spin in his Daytona debut, he was cleared to compete. Even though these laps added to his résumé, some fans and figures in the community are questioning if the unprecedented boost in NASCAR’s social media presence factored into his rapid advancement more than his actual performance on the track.
Richard Childress Racing’s decision has reopened the broader discussion about how drivers are chosen for NASCAR’s premier developmental league. The focus has shifted to whether a driver’s ability to draw crowds and attention online is being weighed more heavily than time-tested racing experience and traditional ladder progression. These concerns dominated recent discussions and fueled Petty’s latest remarks on the issue.
Kyle Petty’s Direct Words on Mitchell’s Promotion
Kyle Petty did not mince words when sharing his opinion on the matter, drawing from his own experience of a fast rise through the racing ranks during the late 1970s and early 1980s. During a YouTube post-race discussion, Petty directly addressed the influence that Mitchell’s digital following may have had on the decision, emphasizing his skepticism about the qualifications required for advancement in today’s NASCAR.
“All you have to do to be a NASCAR O’Reilly or Truck [driver], to get to that level, is to have your parents buy you a video game when you’re young, so you can learn how to drive on a sim, or have ten million YouTube followers. You don’t have to have any talent. You don’t have to know anything about it. You just have to drive a Crown Vic and have some great races and some great crowds show up for you.”
— Kyle Petty
Although Petty acknowledged that business considerations play a part, as NASCAR and RCR benefit from the increased attention and marketing, he still questioned whether the sport should prioritize these aspects over traditional merit-based selection. Petty reflected on his own entry into NASCAR, stating that he too was given a quick opportunity when he was young and inexperienced:
This is the pot calling the kettle black, let me go ahead and say that. Because when I started, and I was 18, I had no experience. — Kyle Petty
Despite this admission, Petty asserted that with so many ways for drivers to build their racing careers, simply having online fame should not be enough. He called for a return to the values of earning a seat through experience and hard work:
“I just don’t think that in this day and time when we have so many forms of race and so many ways to get here that just because you’re a celebrity or an internet sensation that you should be able to walk through the gates and get in one of these cars. By God, these other guys that are out there have earned their way there. They have put in the hours, they have put in the time, they have done the stuff they needed to do.”
— Kyle Petty
Petty continued to stress that NASCAR is at the apex of racing, suggesting that those seeking to transition into the sport from non-traditional backgrounds, like Mitchell, should begin by gaining experience in lower exhibition divisions such as NASCAR Classic before moving up:
This is a professional sport, okay, — Kyle Petty
Let me be real clear here. NASCAR is the top. It’s the top of motorsports. It is the elite. — Kyle Petty
He used examples like Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch—drivers he called “heroes and superstars”—to point out that their reputations were forged on track performance, not viral online followings:
did not make their name by having a million and a half or two million followers on YouTube. — Kyle Petty
In Petty’s most pointed criticism, he argued that internet fame alone should not guarantee a spot at the highest levels of NASCAR competition:
“Don’t come here if all you are is an internet sensation because you’ve got no place on a racetrack with those guys at the Cup level, and you’ve got really no place with a lot of those guys at the O’Reilly level.”
— Kyle Petty
Debate Continues: NASCAR Community Divided on Cleetus McFarland’s Move
The controversy around Mitchell’s promotion has spurred wide debate within the NASCAR community, ranging from hardcore fans to industry veterans. RCR’s decision has obvious business incentives, as Ty Dillon, RCR driver and Richard Childress’ grandson, directly advocated for the partnership, viewing it as a chance to merge fan bases and capture attention from new demographic groups.
Ty Dillon vouched for RCR to sign Cleetus McFarland. ✍🏼 pic.twitter.com/PgfQTjie9q— Dirty Mo Media (@DirtyMoMedia) March 5, 2026
Those who support Mitchell argue that the excitement and attention he delivers are good for the sport, offering exposure to audiences who might not otherwise engage with traditional racing broadcasts. Mitchell himself, in conversations with Dale Earnhardt Jr, referenced his plans to continue racing in other series and work on his driving abilities. With RCR’s resources and developmental tools at his disposal, Mitchell’s backers see him as someone eager to learn and advance on merit with time.
However, critics remain steadfast that more development time—particularly in ARCA or the Truck Series—would have been a better pathway for Mitchell and more respectful to the efforts of long-term drivers. They argue that a single debut at Rockingham Speedway does not secure Mitchell’s long-term presence, as his future starts, specifically the next potential race at Talladega Superspeedway, rest on how he performs in his first attempt.
Cleetus McFarland Addresses His Own Racing Future
Garrett Mitchell, under his well-known persona Cleetus McFarland, has acknowledged that his involvement in the O’Reilly Series is part of a calculated progression. He has not publicly pushed for a rapid transition to the elite NASCAR Cup Series, emphasizing a focus on gradual, experience-based growth in stock car racing. In recent interviews, Mitchell discussed his dedication to learning from established drivers and using each opportunity to prove himself, highlighting a willingness to start from developmental contracts and work his way up based on results rather than celebrity status alone.
Mitchell’s upcoming debut at Rockingham Speedway will serve as the first test, not only for his driving but also as a broader trial for NASCAR’s evolving approach to integrating new kinds of fame and fandom into its longstanding traditions. His performance on April 4 will decide whether he earns a slot in his next planned race at Talladega Superspeedway—making this not just a personal milepost but a focal point for ongoing debates about the sport’s future direction.
The broader NASCAR community, from respected veterans such as Kyle Petty to team insiders and fans, will be watching closely as Mitchell takes to the track. The outcome will shape discussions about what it means to “earn” a spot in the sport in an age where social media reach, crowd appeal, and on-track results are increasingly intertwined.
Ty Dillon vouched for RCR to sign Cleetus McFarland. ✍🏼 pic.twitter.com/PgfQTjie9q
— Dirty Mo Media (@DirtyMoMedia) March 5, 2026
