Garrett Mitchell, widely recognized as Cleetus McFarland to his millions of YouTube followers, is set to make a significant comeback in the ARCA Menards Series this weekend at Daytona International Speedway. His appearance at Saturday’s General Tire 200 marks a highly anticipated return, with the Bradenton, Florida native eager to build on his earlier racing experiences at the renowned 2.5-mile superspeedway.
Reflecting on Past Performance and Recent Progress
This race takes place at the very location where McFarland made his ARCA Menards Series debut. His initial outing at Daytona revealed potential despite being cut short by two early on-track incidents. Since then, McFarland has gained valuable experience, including a top-10 finish last April at Talladega Superspeedway, the only other drafting track in the ARCA schedule. His consistent improvement continued with a strong preseason effort helping Rette Jones Racing secure a top-10 placing at Daytona during practice sessions.
Ambitions for a Breakthrough Result at Daytona
Confident about his readiness, McFarland aims to secure his third top-10 finish in just his fifth ARCA start while also eyeing a breakthrough first win on one of the series’ most prestigious stages. He acknowledged the unique challenges posed by superspeedway racing and the need for respect and patience on such tracks.
“I’ve learned a lot since that first start, and the Rette Jones Racing guys have brought a fast hot rod. If we execute, stay out of trouble and put ourselves in position late, there’s no reason we can’t be in the mix with 10 to go. And once you’re there, anything can happen.”
?Cleetus McFarland, Driver
Gaining Experience and Improving Drafting Skills
Since making his debut, McFarland has strategically increased his experience by participating in additional superspeedway races and practice sessions. This hands-on approach has enhanced his understanding of racing dynamics, a crucial factor at high-speed tracks. He highlighted the importance of real-time decision-making and mastering the effects of airflow in close racing conditions.
“Seat time is everything at these places,”
he said.
“You can study film and talk about it all you want, but until you’re in the draft making decisions at 190 miles per hour, it’s different.”
“The biggest thing I’ve learned is how the air works and how to manage the runs. Two races and a couple of practice sessions might not sound like much, but that experience adds up. I’m a lot more confident in the pack now, and that lets you focus on racing instead of just surviving.”
?Cleetus McFarland, Driver
Balancing Dual Series Competition During a Busy Weekend
Besides his ARCA commitments, McFarland will debut in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series on Friday night at the Fresh From Florida 250, driving the No. 4 Chevrolet Silverado for Niece Motorsports. This opportunity arose after a successful test session at Rockingham Speedway, where he earned his superspeedway clearance, enabling him to tackle national-level competition.
The Truck Series event also features renowned action sports athlete Travis Pastrana, creating a rare pairing of crossover stars racing under the Niece Motorsports banner for the weekend’s superspeedway events.
McFarland plans to leverage the lessons learned from Friday night’s Truck Series competition to enhance his performance in Saturday’s ARCA race. He emphasized the value of track time in adapting to draft strategies and traffic management in these intensive racing environments.
“There’s no substitute for real race laps,”
McFarland explained.
“Running the Truck race Friday night gives me another chance to feel the draft, understand the runs and get comfortable making moves in traffic. The goal is to take everything I learn and apply it right away on Saturday.”
Adapting Across Different Vehicles on Superspeedways
Though the driving experience differs between NASCAR trucks and ARCA cars, McFarland noted that the core principles essential to superspeedway racing remain consistent—such as managing aerodynamic effects, timing runs, and making split-second decisions within the pack. He believes that accumulating laps in either vehicle builds the necessary instincts to excel on these fast tracks.
“The Truck and the ARCA car definitely drive different, but the fundamentals at a superspeedway are the same,”
McFarland said.
“You’re still managing air, reading runs and making split-second decisions in the draft. The more laps I get in that environment, the better I understand the rhythm of it — and that’s what really carries over.”
Partner Support and Team Confidence
Kenetik, a ketone-based performance drink designed to improve energy and mental focus, continues to back McFarland’s ARCA campaign this season. The scientifically formulated beverage provides clean, sustained energy without reliance on caffeine or sugar, aiding McFarland’s overall race-day performance.
“I’m excited to have Kenetik back with us for ARCA this season,”
McFarland stated.
“They believed in what we’re building, and I take a lot of pride in representing partners who invest in our program.”
“We’ve built something special together, and I’m committed to giving them maximum visibility both on the track and across our channels. As we continue to grow in 2026, I want to make sure Kenetik stays right there in the spotlight with us.”
?Cleetus McFarland, Driver
Mark Rette, co-owner and crew chief of Rette Jones Racing, voiced his confidence in McFarland’s development and potential for a strong Daytona showing.
“Cleetus has put in the work,”
Rette commented.
“You can see the progression every time he straps in. He’s more comfortable in the draft, he’s asking the right questions and he’s starting to understand the rhythm and decision-making that superspeedway racing demands. If we execute and stay out of trouble, I believe we can surprise some people.”
?Mark Rette, Co-owner and Crew Chief, Rette Jones Racing
Honoring the Legacy of Greg Biffle at Daytona
In a heartfelt tribute, the Rette Jones Racing team, alongside McFarland, will honor the memory of former NASCAR star Greg Biffle, who tragically passed away in December 2025 with his wife, two children, and three others in a plane crash near Statesville, North Carolina. The racing community has adopted “Be Like Biff” as a mantra to celebrate Biffle’s spirited competitiveness, generosity, and zest for life. This dedication will resonate throughout the General Tire 200 weekend as both an inspiration and motivation.
Teammate Presence and Race Weekend Details
Continuing the pattern from last year’s Daytona event, McFarland will have a teammate sharing the track during the General Tire 200. Kole Raz, a noted Late Model racer, will drive the No. 76 Ford Mustang for Rette Jones Racing in partnership with Wayne Peterson Motorsports. Their combined efforts underscore the team’s commitment to solid performances at this key superspeedway event.
The General Tire 200, an 80-lap, 200-mile race, is the season opener for the 2026 ARCA Menards Series. Practice runs take place on Thursday, February 12, from 4:00 p.m. to 4:55 p.m. ET, with official qualifying scheduled for Friday, February 13, at 1:30 p.m. ET. The race itself will start shortly after noon on Saturday, February 14. FOX will broadcast the race live, marking the second consecutive year for televised coverage, while Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90 provide radio coverage. Fans can follow live timing and scoring on ARCARacing.com throughout the event.
