“Their Words Don’t Affect Me!” Cleetus McFarland Boldly Respond to Haters and Critics After New RCR Deal

Cleetus McFarland has shared his thoughts on criticism of his chaotic racing history and new RCR part-time racing deal.

“Their Words Don’t Affect Me!” Cleetus McFarland Boldly Respond to Haters and Critics After New RCR Deal

Cleetus McFarland (Via wired.com)

YouTuber Garrett Mitchell a.k.a Cleetus McFarland has been in the middle controversies since the start of the 2026 season. Many in the community is unhappy with NASCAR approving the influencer to racer in the lower divisions despite the limited experience and almost all of his entries so far ending in wrecks. But nothing seems to be stopping the racer’s career growth.

It was announced recently that Richard Childress Racing has signed Cleetus McFarland in a part-time deal that will see him race in three events in 2026 in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. This intensified the criticism and on his appearance on Dale Jr. Download podcast, the racer responded to critics. He highlighted how he has always been seen as joke or the class clown when he started racing.

I think being a YouTuber for so long, like I’ve just had everything in the world said about me. I expect way more. When I went into drag racing, I was the class clown. They all thought I was a joke because of the way I had my car set up and the way we ran it. It was a joke.

Cleetus McFarland said via Dale Jr. Download.

Further talking about the point, the racer pointed out that people are allowed to criticize him in his rookie years, but asserted that those comments won’t stop him from making a comeback. He is determined to make the critics shut up by showing up and race consistently, disregarding any negative comments coming his way.

I think right now I’m the rookie and people can say whatever they want. But when I keep coming back every time and they realize that their words don’t affect me time and time again they’re going to run out of breath.

Cleetus McFarland added.

The RCR racer asserted that he won’t stop racing, as long as he is having fun in the stock car racing scene regardless of the division. McFarland brings more viewership and a new dynamic to the lower divisions. At the moment, it’s benefiting the series, but unless he gets better as racer soon it will hurt the sport in the long-run.

Because as long as I’m having fun, I’m going to keep showing up at these NASCAR races. Whether I’m in ARCA, Truck or O’Reilly’s, their words on Facebook will not change the fact that I’m going to come back and try again as long as I’m having fun.

Cleetus McFarland asserted.

Bubba Wallace’s spotter double down on Cleetus McFarland criticism

One of the biggest critics of McFarland in the 2026 season has been the co-host of Door bumper Clear podcast Freddie Kraft, who is the spotter for 23XI Racing’s Bubba Wallace. After the RCR announcement, he doubled down on the criticism and pointed out that NASCAR is wrong to approve the racer.

Bubba Wallace, Freddie Kraft and Cleetus McFarland
Bubba Wallace, Freddie Kraft and Cleetus McFarland (Via IMAGO, stockcarreport.com and motorsport.com)

Crash at the Rockingham truck test. Crash Lap 5 of your only truck start. Good enough for me. Approved. I don’t blame Cleetus one bit. We’d all jump at the chance to just show up and get approved.

Freddie Kraft said.

He doesn’t blame the racer though, as he knowns everyone that wants to make a career for themselves in the NASCAR will take any opportunity to race and McFarland doing exactly that. But he needs to first race longer in ARCA and Truck before moving up, as he might have cost an opportunity for a young racer that deserves a shot in the second division.

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