Cleetus McFarland Confirms Next NASCAR Race

What’s Happening?

During a recent appearance on The Dale Jr. Download, YouTuber Cleetus McFarland confirmed that his next NASCAR race will not be until the latter part of the 2026 season.

Cleetus McFarland, whose real name is Garrett Mitchell, has taken his efforts in NASCAR to the next level in 2026.

The YouTube star-turned NASCAR driver went from making just four ARCA starts in 2025 to matching that total earlier this month.

Alongside his work in ARCA, Mitchell has also taken steps into the NASCAR Craftsman Truck and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.

Initially, his Truck Series efforts seemed focused on a one-off start with Niece Motorsports at Daytona in February, but after missing out on a NASCAR OAP Series start at Talladega, Mitchell added a second and third Truck Series dates to his schedule with the team.

The first of these two races would be at Michigan in early June as part of a double-duty effort with his already scheduled ARCA Menards Series debut at the track.

The second race, announced in early May, would mark his NASCAR National Series debut at Talladega, with Mitchell set to drive the No. 4 truck for Niece during the Truck Series October 23 Chase race at the track.

Since these announcements, Mitchell has hinted he could add even more races to his NASCAR schedule, which had fans hopeful for more races this summer. Though it seems the potential for more races in 2026, at least leading up to his race at Talladega, may be off the table.

During a discussion with his friend, NASCAR Cup Series star Carson Hocevar, on the latest episode of The Dale Jr Download, Mitchell was asked when his next scheduled race was.

In response, Mitchell confirmed that his next race will, in fact, be his previously announced Truck Series race at Talladega, suggesting that for now, his efforts in NASCAR are on hold until his next Truck Series race.

Of course, as NASCAR fans know, this can always change, with sponsors and teams stepping up to offer drivers opportunities as the year rolls on.

Furthermore, Mitchell has previously claimed that his developmental NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series deal with Richard Childress Racing is for three races, suggesting he could have one more on the table this season.

Stay close to the on-track action this weekend and every weekend by following our Race Weekend Dashboard for everything you need to know before, during, and after the race. Share your thoughts by joining the discussion on Discord or X, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for further updates.