Daytona Beach, Florida – February 15, 2026 — In the high-stakes world of superspeedway racing, where split-second decisions separate glory from disaster, YouTube sensation and racing enthusiast Cleetus McFarland (real name Garrett Mitchell) experienced both extremes during Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway. What began as a nightmarish debut in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series transformed into a triumphant redemption story just 24 hours later in the ARCA Menards Series.
The chaos started on Friday, February 13, in the Fresh from Florida 250. McFarland, making his long-awaited NASCAR national series debut with Niece Motorsports in the No. 4 Chevrolet, qualified solidly and was running inside the top 10 early in the pack-racing frenzy. But superspeedway pack racing at Daytona is unforgiving, and on just the sixth lap, disaster struck. Coming out of Turn 4 in a three-wide battle, McFarland got loose, spun toward the inside wall, and slammed hard into the SAFER barrier. The impact ended his race instantly, leaving him to finish dead last in the 36-car field.
In post-race interviews, McFarland didn’t mince words about the experience. “It was the sickest thing I’ve ever been in,” he said, his voice still shaking from the adrenaline and frustration. “Those trucks are wild—insane closing rates, massive packs, and everything happens so fast. I made a terrible mistake, 100% my fault. It’s impressive how those guys run three-wide at those speeds, but man, it kicked my butt.” The crash drew widespread attention from his millions of followers, many of whom flooded social media with messages of support, memes, and encouragement to “keep grinding.”
For a driver whose career began with viral burnout videos, drag-strip antics, and owning the Freedom Factory racetrack in Bradenton, Florida, the Truck Series debut represented a massive leap. McFarland had dipped his toes into stock car racing with a handful of ARCA starts in 2025 for Rette Jones Racing, posting respectable finishes like 10th at Talladega and ninth at Charlotte. But jumping to the Trucks—a national series with far more horsepower, aero dependency, and chaos—was a different beast entirely.
The early exit stung, but it also fueled his determination heading into Saturday’s General Tire 200 in the ARCA Menards Series.
Back behind the wheel on February 14 (with the race concluding into the 15th in some reports due to scheduling), McFarland returned to familiar territory with Rette Jones Racing. Piloting the No. 30 Chevrolet (sponsored by Kenetik and carrying his signature flair), he started mid-pack in a field known for its mix of young talents, veterans, and occasional wildcards. Unlike the Trucks, ARCA racing at Daytona often features slightly cleaner lines and more manageable packs, giving drivers room to breathe—if they can stay out of trouble.
From the drop of the green flag, McFarland showed composure that belied his recent disappointment. He methodically worked his way forward, avoiding the multi-car wrecks that dotted the race. One highlight came when he executed a textbook “Reese’s Sweet Move of the Race,” zig-zagging through a sudden pile-up to emerge unscathed—a moment that drew praise from ARCA officials and fans alike. In-car camera footage captured his calm radio calls: “Nice and smooth with it… Roll out easy… Watch him in front.” Even a near-miss with the pace car added drama without derailing his run.
A mid-race issue—a broken jack on pit road—dropped him a lap down at one point, but late-race cautions and smart strategy allowed him to regain the lead lap. In the closing stages, McFarland climbed impressively, gaining multiple positions in the final laps to secure an 11th-place finish. It marked his best result at Daytona to date—the first time he had completed the full distance at the iconic 2.5-mile track after previous DNFs.
Post-race, McFarland was all smiles in Victory Lane interviews, even chatting with NASCAR Cup Series driver Carson Hocevar. “Best day ever at Daytona,” he declared. “Yesterday wrecked in seven laps, today I got to really enjoy myself. ARCA is way more manageable—cleaner racing, great setup from the crew. I love it.” He praised his team’s preparation and the contrast between the series: “The Trucks are next-level chaos, but this felt like I could actually race instead of just survive.”
The redemption resonated far beyond the track. McFarland’s massive online following—built on years of high-energy content, from Larry the Lobster adventures to massive burnout competitions—erupted in celebration. Social media timelines filled with clips of his smooth moves, congratulatory messages, and fan edits highlighting the turnaround. “From wrecking out to top-11 glory—classic Cleetus,” one viral post read. Others pointed to his journey as inspiration for grassroots racers: a self-made star who transitioned from YouTube fame to competing at NASCAR’s biggest venues through sheer persistence.
McFarland’s Daytona weekend encapsulates the unpredictable thrill of motorsports. One day brought humbling defeat and a phrase that perfectly captured the intensity—“the sickest thing I’ve ever been in.” The next delivered validation, growth, and a finish that proved he belongs. As he continues his partial ARCA schedule with Rette Jones Racing and eyes future opportunities, the Florida native’s story reminds fans why racing captivates: it’s not about never falling, but about getting back up faster, smarter, and with more heart.
For Cleetus McFarland, the road from viral sensation to legitimate racer is far from over. If Daytona’s lessons are any indication, the best chapters are still ahead—one clean lap at a time.
