Garrett Mitchell, the social media personality recognized globally as Cleetus McFarland, has confirmed his transition into full-time professional motorsports. He is set to compete in the 2027 ARCA Menards Series for Richard Childress Racing (RCR), marking a significant milestone in his racing career. As part of this commitment, Mitchell will pilot the No. 33 Chevrolet, working closely with veteran crew chief Robert Strmiska to guide his performance.
Reflecting on the opportunity to drive for a legendary team, Mitchell expressed a desire to refine his skills, stating that the full-season schedule offers the best environment to develop into a top-tier driver. He credited the support of Richard Childress and the wider RCR organization as vital to his confidence as he prepares for a demanding weekly racing cycle. RCR president Mike Verlander praised the newcomer for his dedication, noting that McFarland’s work ethic and genuine passion for the sport have made a lasting impression on the team, solidifying his fit within their operations.
McFarland’s path to this full-time role includes previous experience in multiple developmental categories. He gained exposure in the 2025 season with four ARCA starts, including a memorable, albeit brief, debut at the Daytona season opener. That initial race ended after 17 laps following a crash, though he drew attention for his confident remarks regarding his own driving maneuvers at the time. Beyond ARCA, he has also tested his capabilities in NASCAR’s Truck Series and other secondary developmental circuits throughout recent seasons. He crashed 17 laps into that one – and made headlines for saying he felt like “the best racer there ever was” for some of his driving moves. I’m ready to get after it every week.”.
Since acquiring the ARCA series in 2018, NASCAR has utilized the platform as a key launching pad for drivers aiming to reach the pinnacle of stock car competition. For McFarland, the upcoming 2027 season represents an opportunity to compete for the championship under the guidance of RCR. The team is looking forward to assessing his progress throughout the year, marking a formal step forward in his pursuit of success within the stock car racing ranks. And we’re looking forward to seeing what he can accomplish over the course of a full season, he’s earned this opportunity.
