Squirrel McNutt got the best of his friend Cleetus McFarland late in Friday’s (June 5) ARCA Menards Series race at Michigan International Speedway.
And like any good friend, he made sure to let him hear about it afterward.
McFarland walked up to celebrate his friend’s accomplishment as Frontstretch interviewed him, squeezing his shoulders before saying, “top 10.”
“I was just thinking the whole time, I needed to get up front and see my boy,” McNutt told Frontstretch seconds later, flashing a smile.
Just before rain came to shorten Friday’s race, McFarland was battling for position with Ryan Vargas when the pair made contact, sending them both up the track. Andy Jankowiak was also involved in the battle with Vargas and McFarland and was ultimately tagged.
Jankowiak spun down the racing surface and into Jason Kitzmiller, who got the worst of the accident after slamming hard into the outside wall.
McFarland wound up 14th after the incident. He’ll return to the two-mile Michigan oval for Saturday’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race.
McNutt started way back in 28th place, polar opposite to McFarland on the pole. But McNutt worked his way through traffic, snuck by his friend during the accident and earned his first ARCA top 10 in the process.
It was a positive result to cap off a day that taught McNutt a lot behind the wheel.
“Everything happened so fast, I did learn a lot about the air and people getting on your outside,” McNutt continued. “Started in last, finished in 10th, when the race was called off, I could’ve passed a few more of these guys, but I’ll take 10th spot.”
Michael Bellifemini joined Frontstretch in February 2026 as a contributor. Bellifemini was born and raised in New Jersey and graduated from Seton Hall University. He called Seton Hall men's and women's basketball games for their college radio station, 89.5 FM WSOU, and continues to broadcast in the area. Outside of covering NASCAR, Bellifemini is also an avid baseball, football, basketball, and hockey fan and enjoys watching different sports leagues on a daily basis.
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