Garrett Mitchell, better known as YouTube sensation Cleetus McFarland, has built a massive following with his high-octane antics and the iconic rallying cry “Do it for Dale,” a nod to racing legend Dale Earnhardt. This season marked his return to the ARCA Menards Series after a break since 2022, stepping back into competition part-time with Rette Jones Racing in the No. 30 Ford. His earlier outings showed promise, finishing 30th at Daytona amid multiple wrecks, 10th at Talladega despite a chaotic restart, and a career-best ninth at Charlotte. Yet, tackling Bristol Motor Speedway for his fourth start brought a fresh challenge on the demanding short track.

McFarland’s racing roots trace to 2022, when he debuted in the Stadium Super Trucks series, even competing at Bristol in that format. With an average ARCA finish of 16.5 across his limited starts, he’s no stranger to comebacks, but the Bush’s Beans 200 at Bristol Motor Speedway on September 11, 2025, tested his resolve like never before. In a candid post-race interview with Frontstretch, Cleetus McFarland didn’t hold back on his struggles.

“I got my butt kicked, man… I think I started 20th or 19th, 20th, 18th, somewhere in there, because someone in front of me had to go to the back,” he admitted right away. This marked his short-track debut in ARCA, a stark contrast to the superspeedways where he’d notched top-10s earlier in the year.

Starting 20th after a competitor’s penalty moved him up, McFarland battled to stay competitive but fell off the pace early, running two laps down by halfway. The track’s tight confines amplified every mistake, as he noted how the leaders “put on a clinic” for him, highlighting the drivers’ precision at Bristol.

The race turned tougher when, with just over 20 laps left, McFarland suffered a right front tire failure while running 16th, leading to contact with the outside wall. No caution flew, and after pitting for repairs, he rejoined seven laps down, ultimately crossing the line in 17th, his worst ARCA finish after Daytona. “I put the car in the wall just slightly, cut the front right a few laps later, and then went into the wall pretty hard,” he explained, underscoring the mishaps that derailed his progress.

Despite the setbacks, the 30-year-old found a silver lining in the closing stages. With 25 laps to go, he was able to get around for the 16th position. Looking ahead, McFarland made his intentions clear amid the disappointment. “We’ll be back,” he declared, emphasizing his commitment to the series. When pressed on plans for next year, he confirmed, “Yeah, yeah, we’re planning on coming back… part-time.” Team co-owner Mark Rette echoed this, outlining an expanded eight- to 10-race schedule for 2026, blending ARCA events with Super Late Model runs.

Bristol, though brutal, reinforced the need for perfection on short tracks, pushing him to advise his past self: “Probably get in the simulator more.” However, McFarland’s journey isn’t just about track battles; it’s also about juggling identities under the spotlight. As he balances his YouTube fame with racing ambitions, questions about his dual persona have surfaced.

Cleetus McFarland addresses the persona split

Cleetus McFarland has faced scrutiny over his seemingly split personalities, with some, like motorsports veteran Max Papis, calling him “a really good racecar driver that fakes it as a YouTuber.” In a press conference at Talladega Superspeedway, when NASCAR journalist Jenna Fryer probed this duality, McFarland responded thoughtfully: “I don’t know; it’s a good question, actually.” He elaborated on how his identities blend based on context, from handling serious matters as Garrett to embracing the fun-loving Cleetus on track. This stems from his Nebraska roots and YouTube rise, where he amassed over 4 million subscribers with content like hosting “Cleetus and Cars” events at Bristol.

Delving deeper, McFarland described the evolution: “When I first started the Cleetus thing, it was like a redneck persona. Then, like slowly, Garrett and Cleetus had merged into one. It really depends on the environment, right? When I get in trouble and, per se, have to go to the ARCA hauler for a chat, that’s Garrett… I had to go talk to the owner. But then, when I pulled through the gates of ‘Dega, I’m just Cleetus. It’s like I really can’t control it.” This defense highlights his adaptability, rooted in real-life scenarios like delivering hurricane relief via helicopter during Hurricane Helene, showing Garrett’s responsible side amid Cleetus’s adventurous flair.

Ultimately, McFarland dismisses the labels: “I think I just lived my life at both. Or maybe it’s just one now. Yeah, I mean, it really doesn’t matter what people call me. I just am who I am now. I just try to live my life how I want and have as much fun as possible with my friends. Winning with your friends is the best, so we just travel around and have a good time, no matter who we are.” Support from figures like Dale Earnhardt Jr., who guided him at Talladega with track tips, reinforces this balance. McFarland’s approach keeps him grounded, turning potential criticism into a testament to authenticity in both worlds.