TALLADEGA, Ala.: Garrett Mitchell — better known to the motorsports and online community as Cleetus McFarland — returns to Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway with unfinished business, bringing his high-energy approach and renewed determination to turn potential into a breakthrough result in Saturday’s Alabama Manufactured Housing 200.
The popular YouTuber and racer will once again climb behind the wheel of the No. 30 for Rette Jones Racing Ford, looking to improve on past superspeedway efforts after showing flashes of potential in limited ARCA competition.
It’s already been a banner week for McFarland, as it was announced Monday that he will attempt his second NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (NOAPS) start with Richard Childress Racing on May 30 at Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway — another step forward in his racing journey.
Talladega’s drafting-style racing presents both opportunity and risk, often giving underdog drivers a legitimate shot at strong finishes — but also exposing them to the ever-present danger of multi-car incidents.
For McFarland, the return to the 2.66-mile superspeedway comes as part of his continued development in the ARCA Menards Series, where he’s gaining experience in high-speed, pack-style competition while building toward more opportunities across NASCAR’s national ranks.
Competing in Saturday’s 76-lap event — the fourth race of the 2026 ARCA season — Mitchell will aim to stay out of trouble, position himself in the draft and capitalize when it matters most.
As an added benefit, McFarland is back in the seat for consecutive weekends, keeping him sharp. Last weekend at Kansas Speedway, he was in contention for a top-10 finish in his track debut before an engine failure ended his race 33 laps early, relegating him to a 20th-place finish.
“Being back in the car two weeks in a row is huge for me,” said McFarland. “We had a really solid run going at Kansas before the engine let go, so I feel like we’re carrying that speed into Talladega
“It’s a completely different style of racing, but it’s one I really enjoy because it gives you a shot if you can stay in the mix. We’ve got a good piece, and if we can keep it clean and put ourselves in the right position late, I think we can have a really strong day and be in the hunt when it matters most.”
In his most recent superspeedway outing earlier this year at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, McFarland delivered an 11th-place finish in his No. 30 Kenetik Ford Mustang — a confidence-building run heading into his return to Talladega Superspeedway.
This time, however, McFarland hopes to build on the resilience he showed at Talladega last year, where mechanical issues threatened to derail his day before he surged forward late — with guidance from his team, including friend and mentor Greg Biffle — to secure a top-10 finish in a one-lap shootout.
“That race at Talladega last year was definitely a rollercoaster,” said McFarland. “We had some issues that could have taken us out of it, but the team stuck with it and we were able to fight our way back.
“To come out of there with a top-10 finish showed me what’s possible at these tracks. If we can clean things up this time and put a full race together, I think we can be even better and put ourselves in a position to take advantage of the opportunity at the end.”
With McFarland expected to expand his ARCA Menards Series schedule with the Mooresville, N.C.-based Rette Jones Racing team throughout the year, the Bradenton, Fla., native remains focused on delivering results while continuing to use his platform to introduce his passionate fanbase to the world of motorsports.
“I’m excited for the opportunity to keep running more races with Rette Jones Racing this year,” said McFarland.
“Every time I get behind the wheel, I feel like I’m learning something new and taking another step forward as a driver. At the same time, it’s awesome to bring my audience along for the journey and hopefully introduce even more people to how incredible this sport really is.
“We’re having a lot of fun with it, but we’re also taking it seriously and want to keep improving every time we hit the track.”
McFarland will sport a brand-new livery on his No. 30 Rette Jones Racing Ford Mustang this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway while continuing his partnership with Kenetik, a ketone-based performance drink designed to enhance energy, focus and mental clarity.
In addition, the No. 30 Ford Mustang will prominently feature BaldEagle.com, McFarland’s official merchandise and content platform, highlighting Mr. Sam’s Spray Wax — available exclusively through the website.
BaldEagle.com serves as the central hub for McFarland’s fanbase, offering exclusive merchandise, behind-the-scenes content and unique opportunities for supporters to connect with the social media superstar.
“The Mr. Sam’s Spray Wax car is a pretty cool surprise for everyone,” said McFarland. “I think it turned out awesome — it really pops on track. It’s always fun to bring something different for the fans, especially when it’s something we’re proud of on BaldEagle.com.
“Hopefully we can keep it up front and give it the run it deserves.”
Rette Jones Racing co-owner and crew chief Mark Rette believes McFarland is poised to continue his development and deliver another strong showing this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway.
“Cleetus has put in the work,” Rette said. “You can see the progression every time he straps in. He’s becoming more comfortable behind the wheel, especially in the draft, asking the right questions and continuing to better understand what these cars need throughout a run.
“Superspeedway racing is all about experience and decision-making, and he’s gaining that with every lap,” Rette added. “Talladega is another opportunity for him to apply what he’s learned, and if we execute, stay disciplined and put ourselves in the right position, I think he has the potential to deliver a really solid run on Saturday.”
Rette Jones Racing and McFarland will once again honor the memory of former NASCAR icon Greg Biffle this weekend following his tragic passing in a plane crash in December 2025 alongside his wife, two children and three others in Statesville, N.C.
In the months since the heartbreaking loss, the NASCAR community has rallied around the phrase “Be Like Biff” as a tribute to Biffle’s competitive spirit, generosity, selflessness and love of life — a message McFarland and the team will proudly carry into Talladega Superspeedway as they continue celebrating his legacy while chasing success on the track.
Just like Kansas Speedway, McFarland will have a Rette Jones Racing-affiliated teammate for Saturday’s Alabama Manufactured Housing 200 at Talladega Superspeedway. Fellow automotive content creator and close friend George Siciliano will pilot the No. 0 Heat Wave Ford Mustang in association with Wayne Peterson Motorsports.
Since 2025, McFarland has made six ARCA Menards Series starts, earning two top-10 finishes, including a career-best ninth-place finish at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway in May 2025.
For more on Cleetus McFarland, like him on Facebook (Cleetus McFarland) and follow him on Instagram (@garrett_1320video), TikTok (@cleetusmcfarland) and YouTube.
For more on Rette Jones Racing, please visit RetteJonesRacing.com, like them on Facebook (Rette Jones Racing), or follow them on Instagram (@RetteJones30) and X | Twitter (@RetteJones30).
The Alabama Manufactured Housing 200 (80 laps | 200 miles) is the fourth of 20 races on the 2026 ARCA Menards Series schedule. Practice begins Friday, April 24, from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. CT. The race is scheduled to take the green flag the following morning, April 25, shortly after 11:30 a.m. CT. (12:30 p.m. ET). The continuation of the 74th season of ARCA competition will be televised live on FOX Sports 1 (FS1), with the Motor Racing Network (MRN) and SiriusXM Satellite Radio NASCAR Channel 90 handling the radio waves. ARCARacing.com will also stream live timing and scoring throughout the entire weekend festivities. All times are local (CT).
About Rette Jones Racing:
Headquartered in Mooresville, North Carolina, Rette Jones Racing (RJR) was founded in 2015 with the vision of building a competitive racing organization grounded in hard work, preparation and a relentless, never-give-up attitude.
Owned by veteran racers Terry Jones and Mark Rette, RJR continues to expand its footprint across multiple platforms. In 2026, the team plans to field a full-time entry in the ASA STARS National Tour, while also competing in the ARCA Menards Series, the NASCAR Euro Series and other motorsports disciplines as part of its continued growth and competitive expansion.
Beyond its on-track efforts, Rette Jones Racing provides technical and setup expertise through its technical alliance partnership program, supplying teams with engineering support, chassis consultation, and race-day insight designed to elevate performance and foster long-term success.