Tommy Baldwin Insists Cleetus McFarland is “Hurting Himself” With New RCR Deal

Ex-NASCAR team owner Tommy Baldwin has sent a clear warning to Cleetus McFarland over fast-tracking his racing career.

Tommy Baldwin Insists Cleetus McFarland is “Hurting Himself” With New RCR Deal

Tommy Baldwin and Cleetus McFarland (Via The Drive and Motorsport.com)

Since his Truck Series debut at Daytona, Cleetus McFarland has been the centre controversy in NASCAR as a string feeling is growing inside the sport that the YouTuber is getting opportunity that he isn’t ready for. Ex-NASCAR team owner Tommy Baldwin is one such critics and he has recently given the racer a strong warning.

Talking about the latest Richard Childress Racing announcement that confirmed a three NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race deal for Cleetus McFarland on DBC podcast, Tommy Baldwin asserted that the racer isn’t ready for the second division. He hasn’t completed a full-race in the national level series owing to wrecks and in the words of Kyle Busch, even Brexton Busch is more experienced.

We’re not against Cleetus. Everybody’s like, ‘Well, f you guys.’ It’s not about Cleetus. He can still bring those followers, but why don’t you bring those followers eight months later when you are a little more invested. And what a journey it would be for his followers to go through all that stuff, you know what I’m saying?

Tommy Baldwin said on his podcast.

The veteran asserted that McFarland needs to first race in the grassroot level and earns enough experience, before a promotion. Baldwin mocked the YouTuber for not knowing difference between Pro Late Model and a Super Late Model, which indicate inexperience that needs to be immediately addressed.

The guy don’t even know the difference between a Pro Late Model and a Super Late Model, there’s two different divisions, like, this is what you need to be driving. This is how you need to be starting, these are things you need to be doing.

Tommy Baldwin said via Door Bumper Clear.

He believes by accepting the RCR deal, taking advantage of his marketability as a good YouTube, the racer is only hurting himself. McFarland won’t be able to establish himself as a serious racer, and will hurt his legacy as well if he continues race in the national level races for the sake of fun without ample experience.

Trust the process, man. You’re only hurting yourself. I’m sorry, he’s only hurting himself by doing what he’s doing. ‘It’s fun, I’m not gonna worry about all this, it’s all cool, I’m gonna be back.’ Yeah, you’re gonna be back, but you’re not helping yourself.

Tommy Baldwin added.

Tommy Baldwin makes massive prediction about Ryan Blaney

In the same podcast earlier, Tommy Baldwin talked about Sunday’s Cup race winner at Phoenix Ryan Blaney. The Team Peske Racing driver overcame two big mistakes from his crew to get back on top and secure the win. Baldwin was really impressed with the performance and declared the No:12 racer will end his career as one of the best ever.

Ryan Blaney
Ryan Blaney (Via @Team_Penske/X)

I don’t think he’s getting enough credit for what he did yesterday, coming from the back twice. Last, twice. Just watching him, just how he just does it, man. It’s just, it’s different. I’ll keep repeating it. He’s just going to go down as one of the best race car drivers there is. End of story.

Tommy Baldwin said via DBC.

The comments from the DBC co-host are on point, considering how much Ryan Blaney has evolved as a racer over the years, especially in the Next-Gen era. He has what it takes to become the leading driver at Penske, as Joey Logano is slowly losing his dominance as he is getting old.

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