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Cleetus Buys Pro Late Model to MASTER Racecraft
Cleetus McFarland Buys a Race Car to Level Up His Skills
Who Is Cleetus McFarland?
Imagine a guy who started making YouTube videos about cars—burnouts, engine swaps, and wild stunts—and ended up becoming a real-life racing driver. That’s Cleetus McFarland (his real name is Garrett Mitchell). He owns a racetrack in Florida called the Freedom Factory (a short 3/8-mile oval), and he’s been climbing the NASCAR ladder step by step.
Important Point: Cleetus isn’t just a YouTuber anymore—he’s a professional driver with a two-year contract at Richard Childress Racing, one of the most famous teams in NASCAR history.
What Just Happened? He Bought a "Pro Late Model"
After advice from NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. and others, Cleetus purchased his very own Pro Late Model—the No. 33 car prepared by Rette Jones Racing.
What Is a Pro Late Model? (ELI5)
Think of it like the minor leagues of stock car racing:
- Full tube-frame chassis (built for racing, not a street car)
- V8 engine with ~450–500 horsepower
- Races on short tracks (quarter-mile to half-mile ovals)
- Cheaper to run than big NASCAR series
- Perfect for learning how to race door-to-door with other cars
Why Did He Buy It? The "Racecraft" Reason
Cleetus explained it perfectly in his YouTube video:
"Racing around a lot of cars, close quarters—that’s the type of stuff where you just can’t get good at it unless you do it a lot. And so, I’m hoping this Pro Late Model is going to give me the opportunity to get a lot more racecraft."
What Is "Racecraft"?
Racecraft = the skill of racing other people, not just driving fast alone. It includes:
- Passing and defending position
- Reading what other drivers will do
- Surviving crashes and chaos
- Tire and fuel management during a race
- Mental focus for 100+ laps in traffic
Important Point: ARCA and NASCAR Truck races are expensive and rare. A Pro Late Model lets Cleetus practice every week at local tracks for a fraction of the cost.
First Test at Tri-County Speedway
Cleetus spent a full day testing at Tri-County Speedway. Here’s how it went:
| Moment | What Happened |
|---|---|
| First laps | "This thing is way better than all the other cars I’ve been driving!" |
| The feel | "So much grip… brakes are crazy good." |
| The surprise | "My neck is literally burning—you’re almost turning the whole time!" |
| The spin | Had one minor spin, but said the car "drove okay" and wasn’t scary |
| Verdict | "This thing is sick." |
What’s Next on the Schedule?
1. Berlin Raceway, Michigan
- Upcoming late model event later this year
- Famous half-mile high-banked oval
2. Freedom Factory, Florida
- His own 3/8-mile track
- He hosts late model races there—now he can race in them!
3. NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series – Talladega
- Date: October 23
- Track: Talladega Superspeedway (2.66-mile superspeedway)
- This is a big league NASCAR national series race
How Far Has He Come?
| Milestone | Details |
|---|---|
| Spring 2024 – ARCA at Talladega | Nearly won! Finished 2nd to Andy Jankowiak in a photo finish |
| 2024 – NASCAR Truck Debut | Showed speed but also how much there is to learn |
| 2024 – Xfinity (O’Reilly) Debut | Denied superspeedway approval at first, later cleared |
| Now | Two-year deal with Richard Childress Racing (RCR) |
| Goal | Keep climbing the NASCAR ladder → Cup Series someday |
Important Point: RCR (Richard Childress Racing) is the team that made Dale Earnhardt Sr. a 7-time champion. They’re helping Cleetus develop like a real pro.
Summary: Why This Matters
- Smart investment – A Pro Late Model gives maximum seat time per dollar
- Racecraft factory – Short tracks + tight packs = fastest way to learn
- Physical prep – Neck burning? That means he’s building racing fitness
- Home advantage – He can race at his own track (Freedom Factory) anytime
- Pro support – RCR backing + Dale Jr. advice = serious development path
Cleetus is treating racing like a career, not a stunt. And that’s how you go from YouTube to the big leagues.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Q: What’s the difference between ARCA, Trucks, Xfinity, and Cup?
A: Think of it like baseball leagues:
- ARCA = High-A / Double-A (developmental, mostly short tracks + some big tracks)
- Truck Series = Triple-A (NASCAR’s third national series, pickup trucks)
- Xfinity Series = Double-A / Triple-A (second national series, similar cars to Cup but less power)
- Cup Series = The Majors (top level, most power, best drivers, biggest money)
Q: Why does neck burning matter?
A: On short ovals, you turn left constantly at high G-forces. Your neck muscles fight that force every lap. Burning = those muscles are working hard. Strong neck = less fatigue = fewer mistakes late in races.
Q: Is a Pro Late Model slower than a NASCAR Truck?
A: Yes—less horsepower (~450 vs ~700), less downforce, smaller tires. But on a short track, the corner speeds are similar, and the racing is often tougher because cars are closer together.
Q: What is the Freedom Factory?
A: A 3/8-mile paved oval in Bradenton, Florida, that Cleetus bought and renovated. He hosts events there (like "Cleetus and Cars") and now plans to race his Pro Late Model in the weekly shows.
Q: Can I watch his Pro Late Model races?
A: Yes! He posts full races and testing on his YouTube channel (Cleetus McFarland). Some local tracks also stream races on FloRacing or YouTube.
Want to follow the journey? Subscribe to Cleetus on YouTube and keep an eye on the NASCAR Truck Series schedule for Talladega on October 23!
