NASCAR’s Bold Move with Cleetus McFarland: A Game-Changing Decision
In a stunning announcement just minutes ago, NASCAR has made a monumental decision regarding YouTube sensation and ARCA Menards Series driver Cleetus McFarland, whose real name is Garrett Mitchell. The motorsport giant has confirmed that McFarland will join the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2026 as a full-time driver for a new team backed by Ram Trucks, marking a significant step in the YouTuber’s racing career and a strategic move for NASCAR to tap into his massive online following.

Cleetus McFarland, with over 4.4 million YouTube subscribers, has rapidly risen to prominence in the motorsport world. His high-energy content, featuring car builds, drag racing, and now stock car racing, has brought unprecedented attention to NASCAR’s feeder series, ARCA. His 2025 ARCA campaign with Rette Jones Racing included a top-10 finish at Talladega despite engine issues and a career-best ninth at Charlotte, though not without controversy after triggering a multi-car wreck on a restart. These performances, combined with his massive social media reach, have made him a unique asset to the sport.

The decision, reported by sources close to NASCAR and Ram, follows weeks of speculation about McFarland’s potential move to the Truck Series. On June 8, 2025, during FOX’s coverage of the DQS Solutions & Staffing 250 at Michigan, two-time Daytona 500 winner Michael Waltrip hinted at McFarland’s Truck Series debut, sparking excitement among fans. A document accessed by Sports Business Journal further revealed that McFarland is slated to serve as both a driver and brand ambassador for Ram’s new NASCAR program, leveraging his popularity to boost the brand’s return to the sport after a decade-long absence.

This move is a win-win for both parties. For NASCAR and Ram, McFarland’s involvement brings a fresh audience, with his Talladega ARCA race drawing 70,000 live viewers to NASCAR’s YouTube channel, a significant boost in engagement.