When Cleetus McFarland first rolled into Daytona earlier this year, the NASCAR world wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. A YouTuber turned racer, McFarland, aka Garrett Mitchell, was better known for ripping burnouts and “Freedom Factory” antics than for stock car battles. Yet, at Daytona, he brought something money can’t buy—genuine excitement. Even though his ARCA Menards Series debut ended early after a wreck, McFarland’s post-race interview stole the show.
His electric comments, “ripping around Daytona like a bald eagle” and “hot doggin’ into 1 & 2,” became instant internet classics. It was a breath of fresh air in a sport that sometimes feels a little too corporate. Despite crashing out, McFarland’s attitude made one thing clear: he wasn’t there just to look cool—he was all in. “That was the most fun I’ve ever had in a race car. I was having the time of my life out there,” he said. McFarland proved that NASCAR needs more big personalities to bring the sport back to its roots.
Now, just a few months later, as NASCAR returned to Talladega, the wild gamble to give McFarland a bigger spotlight paid off massively. Cleetus didn’t just survive Talladega—he soared, bringing NASCAR a much-needed wave of new fans, social media attention, and the kind of buzz the sport has been craving.
At the ARCA Menards Series race at Talladega, McFarland lined up 24th. By the time the checkered flag waved, he had hustled his No. 30 Ford Mustang to a 10th-place finish. It wasn’t just the result that impressed—it was the way he got there. Early engine trouble could have ended his day, but Cleetus muscled through. As he said afterward, “Brother, I thought we were done,” when his team discovered a broken valve spring.
Still, he stayed in the draft, dodged wrecks, and hung on for a top-10. And boy, did people notice. NASCAR’s official YouTube page exploded after McFarland’s in-car camera stream during the race. According to Social Blade data shared by Adam Stern, NASCAR gained between 20,000 and 30,000 new subscribers in just one day. That’s absolutely massive for a series that usually struggles to grab attention for ARCA events.
The sudden rise in NASCAR’s subscribers had fans go bonkers. One fan summed it up perfectly: “He personally has more likability and human connection than all of corporate NASCAR combined.” Notably, McFarland’s live in-car feed at one point had nearly 70,000 people watching. That’s a staggering number for a secondary series event. His race footage has already racked up over 734,000 views.
.@NASCAR gained between 20,000 and 30,000 new subscribers on its official @YouTube page over the last day after having an in-car camera for Cleetus McFarland during yesterday’s ARCA race at Talladega, per data from @SocialBlade. pic.twitter.com/zYGxbyLXk5
— Adam Stern (@A_S12) April 27, 2025
But McFarland’s Talladega magic wasn’t just about numbers. It was about the respect he earned on and off the track. Veteran drivers and racing legends have lined up to praise him. Max Papis, a seasoned racer in everything from IndyCar to NASCAR, said McFarland is “a badass race car driver who pretends to be a YouTuber.” Notably, Dale Earnhardt Jr. personally coached Cleetus before the Talladega race, giving him drafting and strategy tips.
Even Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman cheered him on, highlighting his authentic passion and dedication to the sport. “Obviously, he’s a YouTuber, but he also drives a lot of stuff. He’s got a lot of people helping him… I think some people probably look at his personality or the character that he is and want to use that to not take him seriously. I think when it comes to being serious, like, he does everything the right way,” he told Bob Pockrass.
What makes Cleetus special is not just his skills but also his understanding of the bigger picture. He knows when to entertain and when to buckle down and race seriously. And that balance? It’s exactly what NASCAR needs right now. As McFarland continues to earn respect, it’s obvious he’s not just a YouTube star dabbling in racing—he’s becoming a real contender. And based on the fan reactions? NASCAR had better buckle up because this wild ride is just getting started.
NASCAR gets a new fan favourite!
If you needed proof that Cleetus McFarland is striking a nerve, just check the fan reactions. They’re not just happy. They’re energized. One fan summed it up perfectly: “NASCAR’s Tiger Woods.” It sounds crazy, but think about it. Tiger changed golf by bringing in a new audience. Cleetus is doing the same for stock car racing. He’s pulling in young viewers who never cared before.
Younger fans have especially rallied behind him. “That’s how you get the younger audience y’all so desperately try to appease, do that stuff more often, it’s proven a bigger social media presence works, it’s not rocket science, just look at F1,” one fan wrote. Another user echoed the sentiments and said, “I saw nearly 70,000 people were watching the live YouTube feed at one point.” Notably, many feel Cleetus has the blueprint NASCAR needs: be fun, be real, and make it easy for fans to connect. Even Dale Jr. realised it when he invited McFarland to his podcast. And McFarland has done a lot of good for the community. When Hurricane Helene hit, McFarland piloted a helicopter alongside Greg Biffle and aided people.
Fans know this isn’t just a flash in the pan either. Another fan made a big point: “Now for the first time, people care about an ARCA race. Wait until he moves up into Truck and Xfinity. NASCAR has to embrace his style, personality, and online influence 100%—but they can’t overdo it either.”
They’re right. ARCA races usually don’t get national attention. But thanks to Cleetus McFarland, the General Tire 200 at Talladega became must-see TV. His next moves could pull even bigger numbers. However, it’s a fine line, but if NASCAR plays it smart, Cleetus McFarland could be the key to a whole new era for the sport. Fans are ready, social media is buzzing, and Cleetus himself? He’s just getting warmed up.
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