DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — There’s a new kind of roar at Daytona International Speedway this weekend, and it’s not just the engines. Garrett Mitchell, better known as Cleetus McFarland to his millions of online fans, is making waves in his first-ever NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start, while also returning to ARCA Menards Series action in a high-octane doubleheader. For a guy who’s spent years burning rubber for YouTube, this marks a full-throttle leap into the world of professional stock car racing.

Mitchell’s weekend is nothing short of action-packed. Over two days, the 30-year-old Floridian is tackling six sessions: two practices, two qualifying rounds, and two races. On Thursday, February 12, he hit the track for ARCA practice, clocking in 16th fastest, then jumped into his first-ever Truck Series practice, finishing 23rd overall and third among his Niece Motorsports teammates. Not bad for a first-timer, right?

Qualifying was set for Friday, February 13, with ARCA drivers taking to the track at 1:30 p.m. ET, followed by the Truck Series hopefuls in the afternoon. With 44 trucks entered for only 40 starting spots, the pressure was on. Mitchell—racing under the moniker “Cleetus McFarland Mitchell” to satisfy NASCAR’s license requirements—wasn’t just fighting for a seat; he was out to prove he belonged among the sport’s elite.

His first race of the weekend, the Craftsman Truck Series’ Fresh From Florida 250, kicked off Friday night at 7:30 p.m. ET, broadcast live on FS1. Less than 24 hours later, he’d be back in the driver’s seat for the ARCA Menards Series’ General Tire 200, airing at noon Saturday on FOX. For fans on the go, both events were also available via radio on NRN (Truck Series) and MRN (ARCA), with SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90 carrying live coverage as well.

Mitchell’s double-duty weekend saw him suiting up for two different teams. In ARCA, he returned to Rette Jones Racing’s No. 30 Ford Mustang, backed by sponsor Kenetik and sporting heartfelt tributes to his late mentor and friend, Greg Biffle. A sticker on the name rail and a “Be Like Biff” bumper cover kept Biffle’s legacy alive on track. In the Truck Series, Mitchell joined a star-studded roster at Niece Motorsports, piloting the No. 4 Black Rifle Coffee Chevrolet alongside former ARCA champion Andrés Pérez de Lara, Daytona 500 winner Ricky Stenhouse Jr., and action sports legend Travis Pastrana. All four trucks carried tributes to Biffle—a gesture that resonated deeply with the entire paddock.

Biffle’s impact on the racing community was profound. A NASCAR Hall of Fame nominee and one of the sport’s top 75 drivers, Biffle was tragically killed in a plane crash in December 2025. He had planned to race ARCA with Mitchell at Daytona this very weekend. “I wouldn’t be here without Biff,” Mitchell said, reflecting on his mentor’s influence. “We’re representing. I never really talked to him about trucks, unfortunately. This would have been so cool. He would have been so stoked that we’re doing this.” Mitchell even delivered a eulogy at Biffle’s funeral, underscoring the depth of their bond.

For Mitchell, the journey from online influencer to NASCAR driver has been fast and furious. He made four ARCA starts in 2025, including a tough crash just 17 laps into the Daytona opener. Yet, he rebounded with a 10th-place finish at Talladega, ninth at Charlotte, and 17th at Bristol. The experience paid off. “I feel a little more comfortable,” he admitted. “Last year, I couldn’t even get to the garage. I’m like, ‘Where the hell is my car even at?’ Now, I know where to go. I know some familiar faces. I know the track, so I feel a lot better.”

His comfort level at Daytona is crucial—especially in a field stacked with big names. The Truck Series opener boasted 36 drivers, including three-time Cup Series champion Tony Stewart (making his much-anticipated return), five Cup regulars, and rallycross ace Travis Pastrana. “I love Smoke,” Mitchell said of Stewart. “To go hang out with him and hopefully get to hit his bumper at some point, I’m wound up.”

Pastrana, who’s no stranger to stock cars or wild racing disciplines, is both a teammate and a mentor. The duo’s friendship blossomed over several made-for-YouTube events like the Freedom 500, and Pastrana has high praise for Mitchell: “Cleetus always downplays his driving skills, but he’s a wheel man. He can wheel anything.” Both drivers are supported by Black Rifle Coffee and Brunt Workwear, with their entry also generating a $100,000 donation to veteran’s care nonprofit Boot Campaign—a testament to the positive influence of their racing platform.

Mitchell’s path to Daytona was paved by a successful superspeedway test at Rockingham Speedway, earning him NASCAR clearance just days before his debut. He joked about the experience, saying, “I hit the wall with it, but had a blast.” When comparing the NASCAR truck to his usual racing machines—like the beloved Ford Crown Victorias from his YouTube antics—he quipped, “I’d say the Panther handles slightly better. [The truck has] a lot of power compared to a Crown Vic, obviously. The straightaways are easy, but it loves to corner. I kept feeding it to it, and it took all of it.”

As for strategy, Mitchell and Pastrana planned to work together in the draft, hoping to leverage their camaraderie and connections in the field. “Trav and I have definitely talked, and our plan is to shake and bake. We really should probably get a few more guys to help us, though,” Mitchell shared. Pastrana added, “With Cleetus, he’s made a lot of friends, he’s had a lot of fun. And the coolest part about what Cleetus does is that he has re-inspired even guys like me, that are kind of known for having fun.”

Mitchell’s ARCA schedule for 2026 is already taking shape, with confirmed starts at Talladega on April 25 and Michigan on June 5, plus plans for a Kansas race. However, further Truck Series starts haven’t been announced yet. “I plan to wait for opportunities to arise versus trying to force myself into the next levels,” he told the Daily Downforce, crediting Pastrana for inviting him to the Niece ride at Daytona.

For fans, Mitchell’s journey is more than just a viral sensation making good; it’s about passion, perseverance, and honoring those who paved the way. As the engines thunder and the laps tick by at Daytona, Cleetus McFarland is no longer just a YouTuber—he’s a bona fide NASCAR driver, and the racing world is watching to see where the road leads next.

With the action ongoing and the checkered flag still to fall, all eyes remain on Daytona as Mitchell continues to chase his stock car dreams—one lap at a time.