Cleetus McFarland eyeing the 2027 Daytona 500 for Cup debut?

Garrett Mitchell, better known as the YouTuber Cleetus McFarland, took Daytona by storm earlier this year, even after wrecking out of the ARCA season-opener when he joined the broadcast booth. With over four million subscribers on YouTube, the colorful internet personality returned for more superspeedway action at Talladega in April.

At ‘Dega, things went a bit better for Cleetus, despite dealing with an ailing engine throughout the race. He soldiered on to score a top ten finish in the No. 30 Rette Jones Racing Ford. Fans and media alike surrounded him in the garage afterwards to hear his (entertaining) thoughts on the chaotic event.

Later, he met with NASCAR legend Kevin Harvick out in the infield where he was interviewed as part of the Harvick Happy Hour podcast. While they touched on a wide variety of topics, one of the most interesting bits was in regards to what might be next in his stock car racing endeavors. 

Cleetus had previously eluded to potentially returning for the next ARCA race at Talladega in the fall of this year, but his long-term plans may end up being far bigger than that.

“I’ve never been a big NASCAR guy until this year and [Greg] Biffle helping me stepping my foot in the door,” said Cleetus. “But in just this one season, you [Harvick] and I have both watched several people shove their way into Cup and look like fools. 

“Originally, when I called Biff, I was like, I want to race Cup.” However, he is taking a more realistic approach now that he understands more about the sport and what it entails.

“I think our original goal was the Daytona 500 in 2027 and I’m not saying that’s off the board, but now that i know just a smidge about NASCAR, I still think that might be too early. Those guys are on a whole other level.”