How Cleetus McFarland ALMOST Won His First NASCAR Race

What’s Happening?

He was one move away from stealing Talladega. Garrett Mitchell didn’t just ride around and get lucky; he put himself in position all race long, made the right calls in the biggest moments, and had the run coming to the line. But when it mattered most, one instinctive decision was what kept him from pulling it off.

• How did he gain track position early just by not falling into a restart penalty trap most rookies hit?
• What did he do in the draft that let him take the lead multiple times without consistent help?
• How did he recognize the “big one” before it happened, and make the exact move to survive it?
• And on the final lap, did he give the win away by going for a side draft instead of trusting his momentum?

This wasn’t a fluke superspeedway run. He managed the race, understood the rules, and used the pack better than drivers with far more experience. Even when he got shuffled or didn’t have help, he worked his way back into control and put himself in position to win. This video breaks down how he did almost everything right, and why that one decision off turn four is the difference between a career moment and a missed opportunity.

Watch Also