UPDATE: Cleetus McFarland Will Race in the NASCAR O’Reilly Series This Year
What’s Happening? YouTube star-turned-NASCAR driver Garrett Mitchell, best known by his online persona Cleetus McFarland, has signed a part-time deal to…
NASCAR’s Playoff format has been the subject of much criticism in its nearly 20 year existence. We at the Daily Downforce put together some potential changes yesterday, but the fans added some of their own ideas.
From getting rid of the Playoffs entirely to revamping the entire system to not changing a thing, fans had plenty of opinions on what to do with NASCAR’s Playoff format. What did they have to say?
Some fans just do not like the Playoff format, period. They want NASCAR to get rid of the entire format. They seemingly want NASCAR to return to the season-long format that was used for most of NASCAR’s existence.
Some did not go into depth about which points format they would use in place, but some did. Some even gave their opinions on how to redo the NASCAR points system to keep certain things important.
SB-130 says that this is what NASCAR needs to do as the stock of NASCAR rises.
Mike Champagne just wants it gone.
Through the Esses says that Playoffs just do not belong in motorsports.
tyler says that NASCAR should get rid of it, but awarding significantly more points to the winner can help keep winning important.
USNavyVet 86 gives a revamped points system for NASCAR in order to get rid of the Playoffs.
Toby notes that the old format did not emphasize winning enough, so if the Playoffs are gone, NASCAR needs to emphasize winning.
Some people offered some different ways to change the Playoff system. From shrinking the field to new venues to extra races in the Championship round. Some who want the format gone even made the changes because they don’t expect NASCAR to get rid of the format.
It is incredibly unlikely that NASCAR will completely get rid of the Playoffs, so, some just want to see the format changed a bit. Some genuinely like the Playoffs, but just feel that there need to be a few fixes.
@russellenvy wants to make big changes to every Playoff race. Talk about a radical change.
Kenny wants to see one of two changes made to the Playoffs. Either make the final four more than one race or go back to the original chase formats.
If NASCAR will not get rid of the Playoffs, Kyle Funderburk has two major changes he would like to see.
Brandon Hitchcock wants to see the Playoffs expanded to 12 races for longer elimination rounds.
Alex Holmes wants to see bonus points return, similar to the ones NASCAR used to have.
Mav wants to see changes made, but he wants to see the field still remain at 16 drivers with some major changes.
Some people like the Playoffs exactly as it is. They do not want to see any changes because they like the competition and the moments that it creates. If it is not broken, then why should NASCAR fix it?
Pete Pistone goes through a full checklist of why he feels the Playoffs have done exactly what he wants it to do.
Bryan Dunaway likes the Playoffs exactly as it is. Maybe a change to the schedule would be enough for him.
Matt Weaver seconds Pete Pistone’s opinion.
Jag ReDDoG says that it’s not 1995 anymore, and NASCAR’s Playoffs system is just fine as it is.
One thing is for sure about this, and it’s that not everyone totally agrees on this. Some have different opinions than others, and that is ultimately okay. A system will not please everyone, and neither will this current Playoff format. That’s what makes it so interesting to talk about among fans.
Garrett Mitchell, better known by his online persona Cleetus McFarland, says his 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series schedule isn’t set in stone, something the YouTube star explained to Dale Earnhardt Jr on the latest episode of The Dale Jr Download.
One of the biggest surprises in recent NASCAR news is that YouTube star Cleetus McFarland, whose real name is Garrett Mitchell, will make his NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series debut next month at Rockingham Speedway.
Mitchell, who has just won a NASCAR National Series start to his name, will make this start with Richard Childress Racing in their No. 33 car as part of a part-time development contract that will see him make starts in 2026 and 2027.
Per Mitchell, his contract will cover three races per season, though he hinted it could be more in a Facebook post. Nonetheless, fans are eagerly awaiting an official schedule of what other tracks Mitchell and RCR will tackle in 2026.
Unfortunately, fans will have to wait a little longer for this schedule, as the 30-year-old Floridian explained during a recent interview with Dale Earnhardt Jr, his 2026 schedule is still up in the air a month ahead of his first race.
During an interview on the latest episode of the Dale Jr Download, Mitchell told Earnhardt that while he plans to race the superspeedways after Rockingham, with his sights set on Talladega’s April 25 or October 24 race weekend, the decision lies in the hands of NASCAR.
“NASCAR said I cannot run Talladega unless I go to Rockingham first and do well,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell then clarified that while he will have a rookie test for Rockingham, the race at Rockingham will determine his eligibility to race at Talladega.
What’s Happening? YouTube star-turned-NASCAR driver Garrett Mitchell, best known by his online persona Cleetus McFarland, has signed a part-time deal to…
Mitchell, who has two ARCA starts at Daytona and one at Talladega, has already taken a rookie test this season at Rockingham for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
Despite a minor crash during this test, Mitchell was cleared to race in the season-opening race at Daytona, crashing himself in a single truck spin five laps into the race, after a valiant qualifying effort.
Even with the barrier of Rockingham in the way, fans are already somewhat concerned about McFarland’s skills, given the result of his short time behind the wheel of a truck.
During this episode of The DJD, Mitchell expressed his intentions to work his way up the ladder and learn, but with the caveat that if an opportunity presents itself to him, he will take it, using the Daytona 500 and the NASCAR Cup Series as a metaphorical example.
“I don’t want to drive a Cup car right now. But, brother, if someone calls me and says, ‘We got a spot in a Cup car in the Daytona 500?’ I mean, what am I supposed to do?” — Cleetus McFarland
Despite his doubters, with the support of RCR and their developmental tools, Mitchell seems confident about the opportunity, already getting in some sim time with RCR.
Either way, no matter how much support he has in his corner, Mitchell is diving in headfirst once again with this opportunity.
What’s Happening? Despite his internet fame, Garrett Mitchell, by his screen name Cleetus McFarland, has recently taken to stock car racing…
What do you think about this? Let us know your opinion on Discord or X. Don’t forget that you can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
Lionel has officially opened pre-orders for Garrett Mitchell’s (better known as Cleetus McFarland) first-ever NASCAR diecast.
What do you think about this? Let us know your opinion on Discord or X. Don’t forget that you can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
YouTube star-turned-NASCAR driver Garrett Mitchell, best known by his online persona Cleetus McFarland, has signed a part-time deal to race with Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series for the next two seasons.
UPDATE 3:00 PM EST: Per RCR Mitchell will make his debut at Rockingham Speedway on April 4.
What’s Happening? Despite his internet fame, Garrett Mitchell, by his screen name Cleetus McFarland, has recently taken to stock car racing…
What do you think about this? Let us know your opinion on Discord or X. Don’t forget that you can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
