Cleetus McFarland sets goal of survival in NASCAR Truck race at Michigan

Internet sensation Cleetus McFarland set a goal of "surviving" Saturday's NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Michigan International Speedway, but Friday's ARCA Menards Series race at MIS showed that McFarland might be capable of doing more than that. 

Making his eighth career ARCA start on Friday in the Henry Ford Health 200, McFarland won his first pole in qualifying. He faded in the opening laps before getting involved in an incident and finishing 14th in the rain-shortened race, which was won by Gio Ruggiero. 

Still, McFarland proved that is he capable of laying down fast laps. The Bradenton, Florida, native has clearly improved since his ARCA debut in 2025. 

Cleetus McFarland trying to survive at Michigan

Saturday's Truck Series race will be a different challenge for the 31-year-old McFarland, however. His Truck Series debut at Daytona lasted just six laps after he got loose on the exit of turn 4 and crashed. He's made a pair of NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series starts with Richard Childress Racing since, though he spun in both races and wasn't particularly impressive. 

Saturday's race will be a chance for McFarland to prove his development on a national stage

"Last time I drove [a truck], I crashed in six laps," McFarland told Fox Sports. "So I gotta get out there and survive with those boys. I'm glad I got some ARCA time and can feel a little better about tomorrow."