Cleetus McFarland, a YouTuber turned NASCAR driver, will make his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut at Daytona International Speedway this weekend. The Florida native will be driving the No. 4 Chevrolet Silverado for Niece Motorsports with X Games star Travis Pastrana as a teammate.
NASCAR on Tuesday finally cleared McFarland and approved him to compete in the Fresh From Florida 250. McFarland originally announced his plans to compete in the race last week, but he did not receive his NASCAR license at the time.
“I’ve been lucky to drive a lot of really cool stuff, but Daytona in a NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck is a whole new level,” McFarland said. “This is my first time in the series, so I know it’s going to push me way outside my comfort zone, and that’s what makes it so exciting. I’m incredibly grateful to have partners like Black Rifle Coffee Company, BRUNT and Niece Motorsports backing us every step of the way. We’re going to go have some fun and see what this thing can do.”
McFarland’s No. 4 entry will sport the same font as the late Greg Biffle, one of McFarland’s best friends, during his Roush Racing (now RFK Racing) days. His effort will be sponsored by Black Riffle Coffee Company and BRUNT.
NASCAR is very strict about who can race at superspeedways like Daytona due to the danger of competing at 200 mph only inches apart. McFarland had to undergo a test at Rockingham Speedway to receive NASCAR’s approval to race at Daytona.
The rest of McFarland’s 2026 plans have not been announced. He was originally rumored to be one the initial RAM drivers for Kaulig Racing, but that did not happen.
Cleetus McFarland’s Racing Journey
McFarland is known as a major content creator, with millions of YouTube, Facebook, X, and Instagram followers. He first made his ARCA Menards Series debut in 2025. He made four starts with Rette Jones Racing, which also fielded a car for Frankie Muniz several years ago.
In four ARCA starts, McFarland, whose real name is Garrett Mitchell, earned two top 10s with a best finish of ninth at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
McFarland is a viral internet sensation due to his crazy car builds, drag racing, and he even created the Freedom Factory track in Florida, where he races Crown Victorias. NASCAR drivers often compete in his races, showcasing their ability to have fun away from the main racetrack.
That was the start of his journey to becoming a professional racer. Ever since, he’s competed in Stadium Super Trucks, ARCA, and drag racing.
McFarland also went viral for his debut in the broadcast booth during the ARCA race at Daytona after he crashed out last year.
McFarland And Greg Biffle
McFarland had a close relationship with Biffle before his passing in a plane crash that also killed his wife, two children, and two pilots. The Biffles were going to see McFarland at the time.
Ever since, McFarland has spread the hashtag, #BeLikeBiff, across the country. After Biffle’s passing, McFarland took a tricked out stretch limo to Mooreseville, N.C. and had a #BurnoutsForBiffle event to celebrate the entire Biffle family’s lives.
Biffle and McFarland became close friends about a year and a half prior to Biffle’s passing. First, they met at Stafford Speedway when Biffle raced a Crown Victoria in one of McFarland’s events. Then, when Biffle was conducting hurricane relief missions in the Carolinas after Hurricane Helene, McFarland, who has a helicopter license, joined him in the effort to deliver food to people who were trapped on their property.
Biffle became a mentor to McFarland, and enabled him to chase his NASCAR dream.
Cleetus McFarland Is Approved For NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Debut At Daytona