Image via Cleetus McFarland/Facebook
NASCAR is facing criticism from within its own garage after approving internet personality and ARCA driver Garrett Mitchell, widely known as Cleetus McFarland, to compete in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series through a partnership with Richard Childress Racing. The decision allows the 30-year-old driver to run six races across the next two seasons in the No. 33 Chevrolet entry. The announcement immediately triggered debate inside the NASCAR community, with Bubba Wallace’s spotter Freddie Kraft publicly questioning the approval process.
The controversy emerged shortly after Mitchell revealed that he would compete for Richard Childress Racing in a limited schedule that includes three races in 2026 and three in 2027. The partnership places him alongside established RCR drivers Austin Hill and Jesse Love as part of the organization’s effort in the series. Mitchell’s first race under the agreement is scheduled for Rockingham in April, with the remaining events spread across the rest of the season.
Mitchell first gained prominence through YouTube, where his Cleetus McFarland brand built a large following around automotive entertainment and motorsports content. Over time he transitioned into competitive racing, eventually entering the ARCA Menards Series. His experience in that series includes six races with Rette Jones Racing, marking the beginning of his professional stock car career.
While Mitchell’s fan base and growing presence in motorsports have drawn attention, his limited racing résumé has become the center of criticism following NASCAR’s approval. The O’Reilly Auto Parts Series sits higher on the stock car ladder than the ARCA competition where Mitchell has spent most of his recent track time. That jump, combined with his relatively short racing history, has led some insiders to question how quickly he was cleared to compete.
Freddie Kraft, who serves as Bubba Wallace’s spotter in the NASCAR Cup Series, publicly challenged the decision after Mitchell announced the deal. Kraft highlighted Mitchell’s limited track record in NASCAR-sanctioned competition and used social media to call attention to incidents that occurred during some of Mitchell’s previous racing appearances. His reaction quickly circulated among fans and industry figures who follow developments within the sport.
Kraft’s criticism focused on whether NASCAR’s approval process placed too much weight on Mitchell’s popularity rather than his experience behind the wheel. While he made clear he did not fault Mitchell for accepting the opportunity, he directed his criticism toward NASCAR’s decision to grant the approval itself. His comments pointed to previous crashes in Mitchell’s racing appearances as examples of why some competitors believe the step up in competition may be premature.
The reaction from Wallace’s spotter reflects a broader conversation inside the sport about how drivers progress through NASCAR’s competitive ladder. Historically, drivers move from developmental series into higher tiers after building experience over multiple seasons. Mitchell’s rapid rise into the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series after only a handful of ARCA starts has raised questions among some competitors who view track time and experience as critical preparation.
The debate intensified because Kraft had previously voiced similar concerns about Mitchell roughly a month before the new partnership was announced. During earlier discussions, he suggested that the YouTuber-turned-driver was not yet prepared for higher-level NASCAR competition. That position remained unchanged when news of the Richard Childress Racing deal became public.
Kraft also raised a broader point about the direction NASCAR might be taking when evaluating drivers for major series. According to his remarks, the issue is not the individual driver but rather the criteria used to approve entries into higher levels of competition. The concern, as he framed it, is whether competitive ability or outside popularity plays the larger role in those decisions.
Mitchell’s path into racing differs from many drivers who traditionally climb NASCAR’s ranks. Instead of growing up within the stock car development system, he built his reputation through digital media and automotive content before transitioning into competitive racing. That background helped him attract a large fan base that already follows his motorsports activities.
For NASCAR and teams like Richard Childress Racing, drivers with large audiences can bring new attention to racing events. Mitchell’s online following is widely viewed as a potential asset capable of introducing the sport to viewers who may not regularly watch NASCAR. That visibility is part of why his entry into the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series has drawn significant attention from both supporters and critics.
Despite the debate surrounding his approval, Mitchell’s schedule remains set. The agreement calls for him to compete in six races across two seasons in the No. 33 Chevrolet fielded by Richard Childress Racing. His debut is expected to take place at Rockingham in April, marking his first appearance in the series under the RCR banner.
From a competitive standpoint, Mitchell will share the organization’s lineup with established drivers Austin Hill and Jesse Love. Both drivers already have significant experience within NASCAR’s national series, providing a contrast to Mitchell’s shorter résumé in stock car racing. The team’s decision to place Mitchell in the same program immediately placed the spotlight on the move.
The criticism from Kraft highlights how closely NASCAR’s driver approval decisions are scrutinized within the industry. Drivers, spotters, and team members frequently debate how quickly new competitors should move up the racing ladder. Those discussions often intensify when a driver arrives with significant publicity or attention from outside the traditional NASCAR pipeline.
For now, Mitchell’s opportunity with Richard Childress Racing is moving forward as planned. The upcoming races will serve as the first real test of how he performs at a higher level of NASCAR competition. As the season approaches, attention will remain focused on whether his performance on the track matches the attention surrounding his entry into the series.
NASCAR has not indicated any change to its approval decision, and Mitchell remains scheduled to compete in the planned events beginning with Rockingham in April.
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