In an exhilarating display of racing at Talladega, Lawless Alan achieved his first career win in the ARCA series, while internet sensation Cleetus McFarland secured a commendable top-ten finish in his No. 30 Ford for Rette Jones Racing. This event attracted nearly 70,000 viewers who tuned in to watch the action unfold from McFarland’s in-car camera, capturing the excitement of the infamous superspeedway.
Cleetus McFarland, whose real name is Garrett Mitchell, made his debut in the ARCA series earlier this year at Daytona. Unfortunately, that race was marred by chaos, resulting in multiple wrecks and a disappointing 30th-place finish. However, his experience at Talladega proved to be a stark contrast, though it was not devoid of its own share of drama.
As the race commenced, McFarland faced an unexpected hurdle: he forgot to wear his HANS device, causing a slight delay in his departure from the pit lane. Nevertheless, once he hit the track, he quickly improved from his 24th starting position, maneuvering his way into the top ten. However, soon after, he encountered difficulties as his car’s performance began to decline. Reporting a potential engine problem, McFarland found himself falling back to 20th place, losing touch with the main pack.
The Rette Jones Racing team identified an issue with the valve train, leaving McFarland to manage the situation while hoping his vehicle would hold up until the race concluded. Fortunately, the No. 30 Ford continued to perform adequately, allowing McFarland to recover and gradually move back toward the front of the pack.
As the race approached its final laps, the intensity heightened. Two cars crashed directly in front of McFarland on the backstretch, and he had to quickly navigate through the wreckage. In a stroke of luck, one of the damaged vehicles veered across the track and barely grazed the right-rear fender of McFarland’s car. Escaping that close call, he celebrated by pumping his fists in the air while under caution, demonstrating his excitement and relief.
In a lighthearted post-race interview, McFarland humorously attributed his ability to dodge the late-race incident to his cut-off sleeves, stating, “Tucked one of my wings and just dodged right out of there. I said, ‘hell no brother, you ain’t taking me out.'” His lively personality shone through as he recounted his race experience.
The competition culminated in a nail-biting one-lap dash during overtime, with McFarland restarting in 14th place. However, the excitement quickly turned into chaos when a slower car triggered a multi-vehicle pileup before they could even make it to Turn 1. Once again, McFarland managed to steer clear of the turmoil, advancing to 10th place just as the caution flag was waved, ultimately ending the race.
Reflecting on his performance, McFarland provided an assessment filled with his signature flair. He shared, “Brother, I thought we were done. Ilmor, the engine guys just came over here and pulled the valve cover off. Number six valve spring is broken in half. About five laps in, she just turned into a dog. And this #30 always hauls tail so I’m like, ‘what the hell is going on?’ Got my foot stabbed in there.”
He went on to describe the challenges he faced, mentioning how he felt like he was riding a horse while other cars zoomed past him. “I’m telling you, they’re getting on the radio like ‘keep your momentum,’ and I’m like, ‘brother, this sucker is wide open.’ You know what I’m saying? So we fell out of the draft, and dude, it felt like I was riding a horse out there. Everyone is blowing by me. Thankfully, a caution came out, and we stayed on the lead lap.”
McFarland praised his crew for their guidance, particularly mentioning Kevin Hamlin, who advised him on maintaining his position in the draft. He acknowledged the invaluable lessons he learned from veteran driver Greg Biffle, stating, “I got out there, read the air with the dog we had, and stayed in there.” His enthusiasm for racing was evident, and he expressed a strong desire to return to stock car racing in the future.
While there is no confirmation yet, McFarland hinted at the possibility of participating in another ARCA race at Talladega later in the fall. As a beloved figure in the racing community and a popular content creator, fans eagerly await his next move in the world of stock car racing.
Cleetus McFarland’s journey through the ARCA series has captivated many, blending his unique personality with the thrilling world of motorsports. His resilience in the face of challenges and his ability to connect with fans both on and off the track make him a standout figure in the racing community. As he continues to navigate the complexities of stock car racing, fans are excited to see where his journey takes him next, and whether he can build on his recent success at Talladega in future events.
With the combination of talent, tenacity, and a touch of humor, Cleetus McFarland has firmly established himself within the ARCA series, and his story is one that resonates with both racing enthusiasts and casual viewers alike. The excitement surrounding his performances and potential future appearances only adds to the anticipation of what is to come in the fast-paced world of stock car racing.
