Cleetus McFarland's NASCAR Future Gets New Update

To help market NASCAR's brand and the Rockingham race, the team puts McFarland in the No. 33 car. However, this version of the No. 33 car will be in the O'Reilly Series and not the Cup Series. Fans will likely never see someone like McFarland in the Cup Series with its charters and demanding race form.

This will also not be the sole appearance for the YouTube star. The deal has been reported to last three races, with the other events to be determined.

Rockingham is back on the NASCAR schedule this year as a National Series' points race. It remains without the Cup Series, but back with the O'Reilly Series after its return to the National Series in 2025.

Cleetus McFarland Returns to NASCAR at Rockingham

The YouTube star last raced in the Craftsman Truck Series at Daytona for Niece Motorsports. He went on to wreck himself in the race, proving that he is a marketing tool more than an elite superspeedway racer. Viewership was up over 20%, proving the right move to insert the social media star.

Rockingham is a one-mile oval, or a short track. This may fit McFarland a bit better as his renowned "Freedom Factory" in Bradenton, Florida, is a .375-mile short track. Yes, it is nothing to the caliber of Rockingham, but it is along the right lines in its short, braking-heavy form, much more favorable than Daytona.

Nonetheless, expectations will be low for Garrett Mitchell, a.k.a "Cleetus McFarland." He gains a sponsor, Tommy's Express Car Wash, and will drive a one-off race here in the O'Reilly Series, in which McFarland has never before raced. The event will take place on Saturday, April 4.