The continued hot topic of conversation since the season began has been the emergence of Cleetus McFarland (government name: Garrett Mitchell) in both the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, ARCA Menard’s Series, and now, the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series with Richard Childress Racing. Many are taking issue with Mitchell’s lack of circle track racing experience, and his online celebrity status seemingly allowing him to bypass other competitors who haven’t been approved for certain tracks; chief among them, drafting tracks like Daytona, Talladega and Atlanta.
This has led to a lot of righteous indignation among many in the sport, particularly those with a platform that allows them to echo their opposition. Some of the concern is legitimate, some of it comes off as gate keeping and sour grapes. That said, there’s one overriding constant here when it comes to competing at this level of racing in NASCAR …
Racing is not for poor people. It’s a first class ticket to financial insolvency at virtually any level.
The commentary that surrounds that notion hasn’t changed in over 50 years. Jack Roush once said, “Do you know how you make a small fortune in racing? Spend a large one.” The old adage from the hot rodding days of the 1960 was, “Speed costs money; how fast do you want to go?” The same holds true today and is the reality of securing funding, or at least self-funding a seat in a quality ride.
Criticism of McFarland seems to center around an incident at Charlotte last year where he started a wreck on a restart in an ARCA race. A couple of things come to mind when reflecting back on that moment. First, it’s ARCA. That is perfectly in line and consistent with what you expect to see in ARCA, and why the series exists in the first place, to make those kinds of mistakes.
Anyone see the ARCA race at Phoenix on Friday? ARCA brakes are still a thing, as is spinning out unassisted, and making slight door to door contact resulting in wrecks.
You know who else has started wrecks at Charlotte in the 1996 Coca-Cola 600 in front of the field? Kyle Petty and Ted Musgrave — and on a restart no less.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Michael Waltrip wrecked in front of in about the same spot. Different circumstances? Yup! But let’s not act like nobody in ARCA has triggered a crash unintentionally before. He does have a steep learning curve, but he’s also not exactly driving into wrecks at full throttle from a straightaway behind, which over the years hasn’t exactly been a rare occurrence.
McFarland’s accident in the Daytona Truck Series race was different. Ironically, the accident was born of a better-than-expected qualifying result that saw his starting 12th. While his ARCA starts at Daytona have fared better, running in a pack as tightly as the trucks do was a bit more than he was ready for, and he lost control five laps in. Game over.
Therein lies the issue of Garrett’s inauspicious debut: trying too hard.
On this week’s episode of the Mark Martin Podcast, Martin revealed that both he and Dale Jr. had spoken with Mitchell regarding his upcoming race at Rockingham and how to approach it: Simply run in the back, log laps and don’t make a spectacle out of yourself.
While Mitchell had relied on his friend and mentor Greg Biffle for guidance and coaching as he started this undertaking, plans unfortunately changed last December. Having two Hall of Fame drivers in Martin and Earnhardt offering their advice however isn’t a poor substitute.
Ultimately, whether people like it or not, Cleetus/Garrett McFarland/Mitchell is one of the most important people to have involved in the sport right now. Many have been lamenting the loss of car culture and how those who grew up tinkering with cars and hot rodding were the sport’s core fans, but are fading away. While that is true, here also is your modern day savior. His YouTube channel has 4.6 million subscribers, and most videos average about 1.4 million views per episode.
Coincidentally, that is how many tuned in at Phoenix for the O’Reilly Series GOVX 200. If you’re looking to grow the sport with an enthusiastic and loyal fanbase, you’d be hard pressed to find someone better positioned, not to mention one of the most important voices in the performance and racing aftermarket industry. Carburetors and big blocks have been replaced with turbos and Coyote-swaps today, and Mitchell and his crew have been at the forefront of it for several years now.
Like Martin said, let’s give him a shot to get through Rockingham and see how he does. Should he start running some additional short track races (not in Crown Vics or minivans) in late models to get his feet under him? Absolutely. It’s hard for even veterans who have won races — and championships — to hop back in a car after some time off and get up to speed or know what adjustments to ask for.
As long as it isn’t a safety issue for the other competitors (or himself) let’s give Garrett some grace and an opportunity to prove himself.
Vito is one of the longest-tenured writers at Frontstretch, joining the staff in 2007. He’s been a contributor to several other outlets, including Athlon Sports and Popular Speed in addition to making radio appearances and podcast appearnces here on Stock Car Scoop and Happy Hour. He forever has a soft-spot in his heart for old Mopars, late model Fords, and is generally a warehouse of useless automotive information.
like i’ve said the truck race is a different style race vehicle than he’s ran. i’m sure he learned from it. when he’s ran in arca cars he’s done ok. he’s ran at talladega before in the arca race.
everyone is just irritated cause he’s who he is. he love racing, drifting, drags or the crown vics.
everyone needs to keep quiet, let him work with the people he’s connected with since biffle was killed, and see what happens.
No, we’re irritated because they’re treating him just like they did Helio Castroneves at Daytona last year, automatically accepting him regardless of his level of skill or qualifications. Castroneves got in by NASCAR essentially saying he was capable, despite never having driven a stock car before, & proceeded to wreck three times in three different races, essentially being a moving hazard on the track. Now, Castroneves is obviously more experienced, skilled & qualified than Mitchell, & he had no damned business being on that track. And, Mitchell does because he’s a popular Youtuber? Wait, he’s raced Crown Vics & vans on short tracks, why didn’t you say so? He obviously has to be qualified to run with the big boys!
Ever heard of a driver named Ricky Knotts? He was killed in his first attempt at a NASCAR Cup race in 1980, at Daytona, when he crashed during one of the qualifying races.
Prior to then, other than failing to qualify for a race at Michigan & a race at Charlotte the year before, he’d nevef raced on a track larger than a half-mile in his life, & he’d raced mainy on dirt tracks.
NASCAR wisely put some rules in place regarding restricting inexperienced racers at Daytona & Talladega after his death; too bad that in their insane attempts to draw in fans by chasing gimmicks they’re putting drivers in jeopardy.
Personally, having followed the sport since attending my first Cup race at age 7, nearly 58 years ago, having grown up in the Charlotte area, surrounded by the sport, having personally know many drivers & team members over the years, & having written about the spirt myself I’d prefer they drop the gimmicks entirely & focus on the actual sport. But, hey! It’s NASCAR, & they are & have been one of the most incompetently ran organizations I’ve ever seen in my life. And I’ve seen so many of their “brilliant ideas” backfire up close & personally that when it happens again, I certainly won’t be surprised.
Ah yes.
Never fear everyone! “Cleetus McFarland” and “Squirrel McNutt” are here to lead NASCAR to a new golden era!
What’s that, you have concerns people don’t watch because two decades of mistakes have most questioning the sport’s validity? Don’t worry, “Cleetus” and “Squirrel” will improve that too! It doesn’t matter whether they can drive!
Grace. AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
some of the guys on the track now aren’t the best drivers!
So the answer is to get more unskilled drivers, who go by redneck stereotyped nicknames?
I fail to see how this is a sustainable solution to NASCAR’s woes.
Fix the racing. The last thing NASCAR needs is another sideshow added to the circus.