Garrett Mitchell, known widely as Cleetus McFarland, recently secured a part-time racing agreement with Richard Childress Racing to compete in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. This deal, announced in early 2026, will have McFarland participate in three points races annually for the next two seasons, marking a notable step into professional stock car racing.
Under this contract, McFarland will be sponsored by Tommy’s Express Car Wash, with his debut in the Truck Series for Richard Childress Racing scheduled for April 3 at Rockingham Speedway during the Black’s Tire 200. The partnership highlights McFarland’s growing involvement in NASCAR competitions and his ambitions within the sport.
Carson Hocevar’s Supportive Response to McFarland’s New Racing Opportunity
NASCAR Cup Series driver Carson Hocevar expressed enthusiasm for McFarland’s new role with Richard Childress Racing. Reacting to McFarland’s announcement on social media, Hocevar commented, “Shake and bake brotha.” This response illustrates camaraderie and a positive outlook on McFarland’s entry into higher-level NASCAR races.
Earlier in the year, McFarland made his first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series appearance at Daytona International Speedway, although he exited the race early after a crash on lap six, finishing 37th. Hocevar also competed in the same race and ended up 35th. That event was won by Chandler Smith, who claimed his first victory of the 2026 season.
Upcoming NASCAR Events and Broadcast Details
The next key race for both drivers is the Buckle Up South Carolina 200 at Darlington Raceway on March 20, 2026. The competition will cover 147 laps and will be available live on FS1 starting at 3:30 pm ET. Fans can also follow real-time updates through MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, providing multiple ways to engage with the upcoming event.
Mixed Reactions from NASCAR Insiders on McFarland’s Truck Series Entry
In contrast to Hocevar’s encouragement, Freddie Kraft, spotter for Bubba Wallace and a reputable NASCAR insider, has voiced skepticism about McFarland’s acceptance into NASCAR races. Kraft criticized the approval process, suggesting McFarland’s limited racing experience made his entry questionable.
“Crash at the Rockingham truck test. Crash Lap 5 of your only truck start. Good enough for me. Approved,” Kraft wrote on social media. “I don’t blame Cleetus one bit. We’d all jump at the chance to just show up and get approved.”
—Freddie Kraft, NASCAR Spotter
Kraft’s remarks emphasize a debate among officials and participants regarding how newcomers like McFarland transition into competitive motorsports with relatively little prior experience.
McFarland’s Broader Racing Plans and Background
Aside from his part-time schedule with Richard Childress Racing, McFarland is set to participate in a limited ARCA series campaign with Rette Jones Racing in 2026. Having only started his professional racing career in 2025, his ARCA outings included four race starts where he secured two top-10 finishes, signaling rapid progress in his motorsport journey.
This growing recognition from both sponsors and teams could influence his future trajectory in NASCAR, as his performance and experience expand over this and next seasons.
