If you follow Garrett Mitchell—better known to most of us as Cleetus McFarland—you know the guy is basically allergic to sitting still. He’s built a literal empire on the back of "full send" energy, from twin-turbo Corvettes to jet boats and stadium trucks. But when he finally stepped into the world of professional stock car racing, the stakes changed. Everyone wanted to see if the YouTube king could handle the heavy metal of the ARCA Menards Series, which many fans essentially view as the gateway to the NASCAR Cup Series. Then, the cleetus mcfarland nascar crash happened at Daytona, and things got real.
Honestly, it was one of those moments where the collective breath of the internet just... stopped. You’ve got a guy who millions of people feel like they know personally, sitting in a heavy stock car at 180 mph, and suddenly there’s smoke and twisted sheet metal everywhere.
The Daytona Incident: A Wild Debut
It’s February 2025. Daytona International Speedway. The "Hard Rock Bet 200" (also known as the Ride The Dente 200). Garrett is making his debut in the ARCA series, driving the No. 30 Ford for Rette Jones Racing. He looked good, too. He was running in the pack, holding his own, and looking like he belonged there.
Then came lap 5.
If you’ve watched enough superspeedway racing, you know "The Big One" is always looming. For Garrett, it came early. A massive multi-car wreck took out a huge chunk of the field. He actually managed to snake his way through that first mess, which had everyone cheering in the comments. But his luck didn't hold. Later in the race, Amber Balcaen—another popular name in the series—suffered a tire failure.
Mitchell was right behind her.
He had a split second to make a choice. High or low? He chose to go high, thinking she’d slide down the track. Instead, her car snapped back up. He "piled right into it," as he later described it. It wasn't just a tap; it was a high-speed collision that ended his day and left the No. 30 car looking like a crushed soda can.
"I should've zigged instead of zagged," he told reporters afterward. He was gutted. You could see it in his face. He’d spent months preparing, even getting mentored by NASCAR legend Greg Biffle, only to have his debut cut short by someone else's bad luck.
The Emotional Weight of 2026
While the on-track cleetus mcfarland nascar crash was a physical setback, the end of 2025 brought a much more devastating blow that redefined his entire 2026 racing season. In December 2025, a private plane owned by his mentor and close friend Greg Biffle crashed in North Carolina.
Tragically, Biffle, his wife Cristina, and their two children were on board.
There’s no way to sugarcoat that. It’s horrific.
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Garrett was the one who confirmed the news on social media, noting that the Biffle family was actually on their way to see him in Florida when the accident happened. For a while, fans wondered if Cleet would even keep racing. How do you go back to the track when your mentor—the guy who helped you get your NASCAR license—is gone?
He almost didn't.
Earlier this month, in January 2026, Garrett admitted he considered walking away from the stock car dream entirely. He was at a crossroads. But instead of quitting, he decided to "Be Like Biff." That’s the slogan the community has adopted now. It means taking opportunities. It means chasing the dream even when it’s scary.
The Road Ahead: 2026 Schedule
So, what’s the plan now? If you thought the crash at Daytona would scare him off, you don't know Cleetus. He’s doubled down. He recently confirmed a five-race ARCA schedule for 2026 with Rette Jones Racing.
He’s going back to the scene of the crime.
- Daytona: The season opener where he’ll face his demons and try to finish what he started.
- Talladega: Another high-speed superspeedway that demands respect and ice in your veins.
- Kansas and Michigan: Intermediate tracks where he can really show his growth as a driver.
There’s also a massive rumor swirling that he might jump into a NASCAR Truck Series ride later this year, possibly with a team like Kaulig Racing or even a Ram-backed entry. Nothing is set in stone yet, but the momentum is there. The guy brings eyes to the sport. Whether you love him or think he’s just a "YouTuber," you can’t deny that when he’s on the entry list, more people tune in.
Why This Matters for NASCAR
Let's be real: NASCAR has been looking for a way to reach a younger audience for years. Garrett Mitchell is that bridge. He’s not a "bought ride" in the traditional sense; he’s a guy who built a fanbase from zero and is now spending his own hard-earned money and sponsorship capital to prove he can drive.
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When we talk about the cleetus mcfarland nascar crash, it isn't just about a wreck. It’s about the learning curve of a guy who is doing it the hard way in front of millions of critics. Every time he hits the wall or gets caught in someone else's mess, he documents it. He shows the "why" and the "how." He makes the technical side of racing accessible to people who might otherwise think it's just turning left.
He's also bringing his crew along. His cameraman and friend "Squirrel" (LSGeorge) is even aiming for an ARCA East debut at Hickory this year. It's becoming a full-blown invasion of the professional ranks by the Freedom Factory crew.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Aspiring Racers
If you're following this journey or thinking about getting into racing yourself, there are a few things we can learn from how Garrett handled his Daytona crash and the subsequent tragedies of the past year:
- Review the Tape: Garrett didn't just walk away from the wreck; he went into the Fox broadcast booth almost immediately to analyze what happened. If you mess up, look at why. Did you "zig when you should have zagged"? Admit it and learn.
- Mentorship is Everything: The progress Garrett made was 100% accelerated by having a legend like Greg Biffle in his corner. If you want to get good at anything, find someone who has already reached the top and listen to them.
- Resilience Trumps Perfection: Your first "big" race might end in a pile of scrap metal. That doesn't mean you aren't a driver. It means you’re now a driver who knows what a wreck feels like. Use that experience to build your "situational awareness" for the next one.
- Honor the Legacy: If you're struggling with motivation, find a bigger "why." Garrett is racing for Biffle's memory now. That kind of purpose is a lot harder to shake than just wanting a trophy.
The 2026 season is going to be emotional. It's going to be fast. And knowing Cleetus, there will probably be some more "incidents" along the way. But that's racing. You don't get the checkered flag without risking the wall.
Keep an eye on Daytona this February. The No. 30 car is going to have a lot of people cheering for it, and maybe—just maybe—he’ll stay clear of the chaos this time.