# NASCAR Legends’ Unexpected Takes on Cleetus McFarland’s Rise
The motorsport world is buzzing with the meteoric rise of YouTube star Garrett Mitchell, better known as Cleetus McFarland, whose foray into the ARCA Menards Series has drawn surprising reactions from NASCAR legends. With over 4.4 million YouTube subscribers, McFarland’s transition from digital content creator to professional racer has sparked both admiration and critique, shaking up the NASCAR scene.
McFarland, who debuted in ARCA at Daytona in February 2025, has quickly become a polarizing figure. His second start at Talladega saw him finish 10th, despite engine issues, drawing 70,000 viewers to NASCAR’s YouTube live stream of his in-car footage—a massive boost for the sport’s visibility. NASCAR legend Ken Schrader praised this impact, urging NASCAR to “capitalize” on McFarland’s social media pull to attract new fans. “If he’s as stout as he is on social media, NASCAR needs to do whatever they need to do,” Schrader said on the *Herm & Schrader* show.
However, not all reactions have been glowing. NASCAR insider Freddie Kraft stirred controversy by comparing McFarland’s ARCA crash at Charlotte to the treatment of female driver Katherine Legge. Kraft argued that McFarland’s mistake—spinning tires on a restart, causing a multi-car wreck—was excused by fans due to his popularity, while Legge would have faced harsher criticism for a similar error. “Cleetus is probably a little over his head running an ARCA car right now,” Kraft remarked, highlighting a perceived double standard. McFarland owned up to the incident, apologizing to Fox Sports 1 for his “rookie maneuver” that damaged several cars, including Isabella Robusto’s.
Kevin Harvick, another NASCAR icon, hosted McFarland on his *Happy Hour* podcast, where the YouTuber revealed ambitious plans, including a potential Daytona 500 run in 2027. Harvick seemed intrigued by McFarland’s raw enthusiasm but cautioned that the Cup Series is “a whole ‘nother level.” McFarland himself acknowledged this, admitting his limited NASCAR experience might delay his Cup dreams.
Adding to the intrigue, Larry McReynolds, a legendary crew chief, announced he’ll work with McFarland as his crew chief for select 2025 races, including the Busch Beans 200 at Bristol. “Love this guy,” McReynolds posted on X, signaling strong support for McFarland’s potential.
McFarland’s journey mirrors the bold risks of NASCAR’s past legends, like Roger Penske’s early ventures. His ownership of the Freedom Factory racetrack and his all-in approach—admitting to financial struggles like a bounced IRS check—echo the high-stakes gambles that built motorsport empires. Yet, Denny Hamlin’s quip about McFarland potentially joining the All-Star Race as the “24th entry” hints at skepticism about his rapid rise diluting NASCAR’s elite status.
As rumors swirl about McFarland possibly driving for a new Ram-backed NASCAR Truck Series team in 2026, his influence is undeniable. Whether he’s a flash in the pan or a future star, McFarland’s impact has NASCAR’s legends talking—and the sport listening.
