Cleetus McFarland has become a popular auto-racing personality thanks to his YouTube videos, which showcase his creative thinking as he builds a variety of vehicles.
McFarland also performs stunts, burnouts, and races his cars in unique ways, which has led to his debut in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 13 and his return to the ARCA Menards Series race there on Feb. 14.
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McFarland, whose real name is Garrett Mitchell, will drive the No. 4 Chevrolet truck for Niece Motorsports at Daytona on Feb. 13.
Here are five things to know about Cleetus McFarland.
How Garrett Mitchell became Cleetus McFarland
Mitchell picked up the name “Cleetus McFarland” after he played a character that he had created at the Rocky Mountain Drag Week with Tom Bailey. Cleetus quickly became his YouTube channel. It’s now how he’s preferred to be called despite his real name being Garrett Mitchell.
How did Greg Biffle help Cleetus McFarland?
Former NASCAR Cup driver Greg Biffle, who died in a private plane crash in December 2025, and McFarland became friends after connecting in 2024 during the Hurricane Helene relief effort.
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The two grew closer, spending time together and realizing how many things they had in common, including their love of motorsports.
Biffle collaborated with Mitchell on several automotive stunts, drag racing, and car build projects, which helped grow McFarland’s YouTube audience.
McFarland was among those who spoke at Biffle’s memorial service at Charlotte’s Bojangles Coliseum in January.
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 11: Garrett Mitchell, also known as Cleetus McFarland looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 11, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
2026 NASCAR DAYTONA 500 SCHEDULE: NASCAR Daytona full weekend track schedule, TV schedule for Daytona 500, Speedweeks
How many YouTube viewers does Cleetus McFarland have?
With Biffle’s help, McFarland’s daily video posts on his YouTube channel, simply named “Cleetus McFarland,” grew to more than one million viewers on some days.
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McFarland started his channel in 2009 while serving as the social media manager at the automotive media company 1320Video. He left 1320Video shortly after to focus on his personal channel.
McFarland currently has 4.63 million subscribers, making his channel one of the most popular automotive entertainment channels on YouTube.
How old is Cleetus McFarland?
McFarland is 30. He was born April 5, 1995.
Has Cleetus McFarland won any races?
McFlarland has not won a stock car race since making his debut in 2025. He competed in four ARCA Menards Series races throughout the season. Driving the No. 30 Ford Mustang for Rette Jones Racing, he posted two top-10 finishes, including 10th at Talladega and ninth at Charlotte.
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For 2026, Mitchell is announcing his schedule through the season. Along with the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race and ARCA Menards race at Daytona, he plans to race in the ARCA Menards Series races at Kansas Speedway on April 18, at Talladega Speedway on April 25, at Michigan International Speedway on June 5, and at Kansas again on Sept. 25.
Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on X @MikeOrganWriter.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Cleetus McFarland is a YouTube star makes NASCAR Truck Series debut
