History of Cleetus McFarland in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 16, 2026

Cleetus McFarland, the online persona of Garrett Mitchell, is a prominent American automotive YouTuber and content creator. He rose to fame through his high-energy videos centered on car culture, specifically focusing on building, modifying, and racing unique performance vehicles. Known for his signature catchphrases and eccentric personality, McFarland has transformed his brand into a massive media empire that includes his own racing series, the 'Cleetus and Cars' events, and the acquisition and operation of the Freedom Factory, a dedicated racetrack in Florida. His content bridge the gap between amateur mechanical experimentation and professional-level drag racing, garnering millions of subscribers. Beyond his digital presence, he has become a significant figure in the automotive aftermarket industry, successfully leveraging his massive online following to promote racing events, merchandise, and performance parts, cementing his status as a leading influencer in the modern automotive world.

April 5, 1995: Birth of Garrett Mitchell

On April 5, 1995, Garrett Mitchell, widely known in the automotive and digital media world as Cleetus McFarland, was born.

January 28, 2009: Launch of YouTube Channel and 1320Video Partnership

On January 28, 2009, Mitchell officially launched his personal YouTube channel while simultaneously taking on the role of social media manager for the automotive media brand 1320Video.

2015: Origin of the Cleetus McFarland Moniker

In 2015, Mitchell officially adopted the stage name Cleetus McFarland after a character originally created by Kyle Loftis gained viral popularity during the Rocky Mountain Race Week event held alongside Tom Bailey.

January 2020: Acquisition and Renaming of Desoto Speedway

In January 2020, Mitchell purchased the abandoned Desoto Speedway, an asphalt oval and figure-eight track located in Manatee County, Florida, which he subsequently rebranded as the Freedom Factory.

April 6, 2022: Cleetus McFarland Stadium Super Trucks Debut Announcement

On April 6, 2022, it was announced via The Checkered Flag that Cleetus McFarland (Garrett Mitchell) would make his debut in the Stadium Super Trucks series in Long Beach, California, piloting the No. 1776 truck.

November 6, 2022: Victory at the 26th Annual Haltech World Cup Finals

On November 6, 2022, Mitchell and his team secured first place in the McLeod Racing Warriors VS Tres Cuarto category at the 26th Annual Haltech World Cup Finals. During the final elimination round, Mitchell's Chevrolet El Camino, nicknamed Mullet, achieved a notable performance with an elapsed time of 6.474 seconds and a top speed of 222.95 mph, successfully eliminating competitor Carlos Olivo.

2023: Mitchell Wins Grannas Racing Stick Shift Class

In 2023, Garrett Mitchell, known as Cleetus McFarland, achieved a victory in the Grannas Racing Stick Shift class while driving his modified Chevrolet Corvette, nicknamed "Leroy". During the finals, he recorded a pass time of 7.325 seconds at a speed of 203.95 mph.

2025: Garrett Mitchell's ARCA Menards Series Test Participation

In 2025, it was revealed that Garrett Mitchell would participate in the pre-season testing for the ARCA Menards Series at the Daytona International Speedway, piloting the No. 30 Ford vehicle for Rette Jones Racing.

February 4, 2026: NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Debut Testing Announcement

On February 4, 2026, it was revealed that Cleetus McFarland began testing at Rockingham Speedway to secure approval for his debut in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 4 truck for Niece Motorsports.

March 4, 2026: Cleetus McFarland to drive for Richard Childress Racing

On March 4, 2026, it was officially announced that Cleetus McFarland would compete in three NASCAR races behind the wheel of the No. 33 car for Richard Childress Racing, with his debut scheduled for the Rockingham event in April of 2026.

May 2026: YouTube Subscriber Milestone

As of May 2026, Cleetus McFarland reached a significant career milestone by surpassing 4.7 million subscribers on his YouTube channel.

2026: Return to ARCA Racing Series

In 2026, it was confirmed that Mitchell would return to the ARCA series for a partial schedule following his performance at the Bristol race. Throughout the 2026 season, he competed in several events including the season opener at Daytona where he placed 11th, the East Series race at Rockingham where he finished 4th, the Kansas race where he placed 20th, and the Talladega race where he achieved a 2nd place finish.