NASCAR legend Denny Hamlin recently addressed the new development of YouTube personality Garrett Mitchell, widely known as Cleetus McFarland, signing a part-time contract with Richard Childress Racing to compete in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2026. With Mitchell set to make his series debut next month at Rockingham Speedway, Hamlin underscored a straightforward objective for the rookie’s inaugural race amid ongoing debates about NASCAR’s driver approval protocols.
Cleetus McFarland’s rise to NASCAR’s second-tier series has generated considerable attention and discussion within the racing community. Mitchell, known primarily for his YouTube content, has limited competitive experience at the ARCA Menards and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series levels, which has prompted questions regarding NASCAR’s criteria for granting racing approval at such a high tier. As a result, both fans and industry professionals have expressed mixed views, engaging NASCAR drivers, team members, and racing veterans in the conversation.
Insights Into NASCAR’s Driver Approval and Hamlin’s Perspective
One of the main points of contention revolves around the balance between attracting new audiences and maintaining competitive standards on the track. Cleetus’s significant online following helped boost NASCAR’s viewership numbers during his events in 2025, including his appearances at Daytona in the ARCA and Truck Series.
Despite this marketing benefit, many question whether his racing experience justifies placement in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. The sentiment within the NASCAR community is largely not against Mitchell personally but directed at the sanctioning body’s approval system, which some believe allows drivers to ascend prematurely.
Reflecting on these issues during his podcast “Actions Detrimental,” Denny Hamlin emphasized the need for stricter standards in approving drivers, especially for NASCAR’s top divisions.
“I think that our approval process should be more tough than what it is,”
Hamlin said.
“I think that there’s a certain standard that we need to hold to ourselves, certainly in the Cup Series.”
Mitchell’s Current Progress and Approach to Racing in NASCAR
Although Cleetus McFarland has not yet competed in the NASCAR Cup Series, he remains open to the possibility in the future. His initial successes came from passing NASCAR’s approval for the Truck Series earlier this season, where he participated in a test at Rockingham Speedway. The test did not go smoothly, resulting in damage to his truck and an early crash during his series debut just five laps in.
Hamlin observed that during Mitchell’s Truck Series race at Daytona, the rookie appeared to be struggling with control over his vehicle throughout the entire short stint before wrecking.
“I watched him [Mitchell] in that Truck race at Daytona, and truthfully, he was out of control for all 12 of the laps before he wrecked. You could just see, I could see it. I know this sport. I know what’s in control and out of control. And I was like, ‘Oh man, this is not gonna end well.’”
— Denny Hamlin
Hamlin also raised concerns about the impact a less experienced driver might have on competitors pursuing championships in the higher divisions, suggesting that rookie unpredictability can pose challenges in highly competitive environments such as Rockingham.
Hamlin’s Goal for Mitchell’s Upcoming Rockingham Appearance
When discussing what Mitchell should aim for in his NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series debut, Hamlin was succinct and realistic, essentially urging the rookie to avoid becoming a disruptive factor during the race.
“Hopefully he can just not be part of the story. That’s the goal. I think that would be part of the goal, is just Cleetus just go out there, run some laps, enjoy yourself, have fun, get your content. He’s good, he’s a great guy. That is the deep end, that is the deep end, going to a track like that.”
— Denny Hamlin
Hamlin acknowledged that although Mitchell is behind in experience, this is expected for any newcomer, and improvement is achievable with consistent racing at various levels.
“From the first race he ran last year to the ARCA race that I saw at Daytona this year, he was better,”
Hamlin noted.
“He was no doubt better. So I think he needs to just keep on his path, get you some more short track experience, intermediate experience, at some lower levels.”
The Broader NASCAR Community’s Response to Mitchell’s Promotion
Garrett Mitchell’s upcoming debut in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series has sparked varied reactions from the racing community, including drivers, crew members, content creators, and longtime fans. Many appreciate his role in attracting fresh audiences to the sport, while others caution that experience on the track should remain the top priority when granting competitive opportunities. NASCAR officials and stakeholders continue to monitor his progress as he gains experience at Rockingham, with hopes that he will keep improving without disrupting the flow of races in the highly competitive series.
Mitchell’s journey may influence future decisions on driver progression and approval within NASCAR, balancing entertainment value and competitive integrity as the sport evolves. His performance at Rockingham and potential subsequent approval for races like Talladega will be critical indicators of how effectively NASCAR’s system accommodates emerging drivers with alternative backgrounds.
