NASCAR has decided not to approve Cleetus McFarland for the upcoming Talladega race in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, citing the need for more experience at higher-speed venues. The YouTube star and emerging driver will still compete in ARCA events, but must further prove his consistency before stepping up to superspeedways.
McFarland, who has previously raced under his real name Garrett Mitchell, was expected to compete at Talladega with Richard Childress Racing. However, NASCAR officials have opted to delay his entry, stating they want to see stronger performances before granting approval for larger and faster tracks in the series.
NASCAR executive John Probst emphasized that the organization supports McFarland and appreciates his contribution to the sport, but made it clear that additional track time and results are required before progressing to top-tier venues.
The decision follows a challenging debut in the O’Reilly Series, where McFarland described his race as “hectic,” admitting to multiple spins despite avoiding major collisions. He finished 32nd, six laps behind the leader, highlighting the gap he still needs to close.
Earlier in the season, his NASCAR Truck Series debut at Daytona ended in a DNF after an early crash. However, he showed promise with a top-five finish in an ARCA race at Rockingham, demonstrating potential at lower levels.
Despite the setback, McFarland remains eligible to compete in ARCA and Truck Series events, as well as short-track races within the O’Reilly Series. With the next superspeedway race not scheduled until later in the season, he has valuable time to build experience and strengthen his racing resume.
If he can deliver consistent results and avoid costly mistakes, a future Talladega appearance could still be within reach.
