Kyle Petty has openly criticized Cleetus McFarland’s entry into the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, claiming internet personalities like McFarland do not belong on the racetrack with professional stock car drivers. The decision by Richard Childress Racing to sign the ARCA Menards Series driver has sparked a contentious debate ahead of McFarland’s series debut, putting both NASCAR insiders and fans at odds over the move.
Internet Fame vs. Racing Credentials at the Center of Debate
The announcement that Cleetus McFarland will drive the #33 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing in three NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series events each season has attracted pointed criticism from several established figures in the sport, including Kyle Petty, Kyle Busch, and Freddie Kraft. Many point to McFarland’s limited stock car experience—just one official start in the NASCAR Truck Series—as a reason he may not be ready for such a stage. Petty’s comments reflect a wider skepticism about whether digital creators and internet sensations can match the demands of professional racing.
Kyle Petty, son of legendary champion Richard Petty, spoke about McFarland’s background following the Phoenix race, emphasizing his concerns about inexperienced drivers being elevated due to their online following rather than proven racing skills. Petty’s frustration was captured in a blunt critique of the sport’s current entry pathways:
“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
He went even further to express his disapproval of McFarland’s racing credentials:
“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,”
he added. – Kyle Petty
NASCAR Veterans and Insiders Raise Their Voices
Kyle Busch, a two-time Cup Series champion and current Richard Childress Racing driver, also challenged the decision to bring McFarland on board. Busch highlighted the gap between McFarland’s racing experience and what is traditionally expected in the series, calling into question the legitimacy of his rapid ascent. Making a comparison to his own family, Busch referred to his young son Brexton’s race history to stress the importance of deep experience:
“I mean, he just, I don’t know. I don’t know how many races he’s run. Denny Hamlin ran 10,000, right, before he got here. I don’t know if Cleetus has run 10 or not, but there’s definitely a need to having ample experience.”
– Kyle Busch
Busch added a pointed comparison to underscore his discontent:
“My son’s probably run more races than he has, and he’s 10 years old. You know what I mean? So I don’t think that sits well with many of us,”
he concluded. – Kyle Busch
Freddie Kraft, known for his role as Bubba Wallace’s spotter, joined Busch and Petty in criticizing the deal on social media. Their shared sentiments reveal a split within racing circles, with many insiders feeling that track merit and a lengthy racing resume should weigh heavier than online prominence.
McFarland’s Upcoming Debut and the Path Forward
Despite the criticism, Cleetus McFarland is set to make his O’Reilly Auto Parts Series debut for Richard Childress Racing at the North Carolina Education Lottery 250 Presented by Black’s Tire. Set for April 4, 2026, at Rockingham Speedway, McFarland will compete alongside established drivers Jesse Love and Austin Dillon in the 250-lap event. The anticipation for this race has only grown as debate around McFarland’s qualifications intensifies, with many watching to see whether he can prove the doubters wrong on track.
This division highlights an evolving tension in NASCAR between traditional paths to the top and the influence of new media personalities. How McFarland performs in these high-profile races may shape the sport’s approach to future driver selections. For now, his upcoming debut stands as a test not only of his own abilities but also of NASCAR’s willingness to embrace unconventional talent in its competitive ranks.
