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Groovy Hollow 3 Returns TONIGHT on Out of the Groove

Joshua Lipowski

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Royal T Grafix

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UPDATE: Watch the Livestream below

Out of the Groove and The Daily Downforce are proud to announce the return of their hit charity iRacing event, Groovy Hollow 3. Coming to Out of the Groove’s YouTube channel on October 24, Eric Estepp and other creators in the community will be taking on a mysterious presence who has forced 25 drivers into an “only one will survive” race.

Groovy Hollow 3 is a competitive online iRacing event featuring drivers from around the community benefiting Extra Life, a Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals program, and the Petty Family Foundation. Last year’s event raised over $15,000 for the charity.

The car paint schemes recognize some of A.E. Engine’s motorsports clients, and feature custom designs for each sponsor. Drivers are competing for $2,000 in cash and prizes, and all proceeds of the online event will benefit Extra Life. Viewers are also encouraged to donate, and contests for viewers in the live chat will take place throughout the broadcast. 

The Extra Life donation link can be found here. 

“I’m thrilled to work with The Daily Downforce and Podium eSports to return to Groovy Hollow. It is amazing how many fans have asked me over the last month if Groovy Hollow would return this year. I am excited to be a part of this new tradition!” 

Eric Estepp (Out of the Groove)

The special Halloween event will utilize iRacing, and feature a 200-lap race in 2023 Next Gen Cup Series race cars, all racing under spooky Halloween-themed conditions at Iowa Speedway.

“We are excited to return. Our partners have really come through once again this year with some spectacular paint schemes – all to help us raise money for Children’s Miracle Network. We have also added to the mix some special Content Creator schemes to help get the online community fired up.”

Craig Baroncelli (The Daily Downforce Publisher)

The Legend of Groovy Hollow premieres October 24 at 7:30 pm EST, and will feature a fun Halloween-themed pre-show. The series will be broadcast by Podium eSports, and will air live on Eric Estepp’s Out of the Groove channel, the No. 1 NASCAR content creator on YouTube. The show will feature expert esports commentary from the broadcast team at Podium eSports.

For more information, visit the Groovy Hollow 3 website.

Fast Facts

  • Premieres live on YouTube: October 24, 2023
  • Channels: www.YouTube.com/EricEstepp and on www.Twitch.tv/PodiumEsports  
  • Pre-race at 7:30 p.m. EST, Green Flag at 8:00 p.m. EST
  • Drivers selected from the best of the iRacing Community
  • Special guest drivers including NASCAR drivers 
  • $2,000 in cash and prizes for the drivers
  • All proceeds from the online portion of the event go to benefit Extra Life, a Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Program. Car sponsor donations go to the Petty Family Foundation. 
  • Website: https://groovyhollowraceway.com/ 
  • Last year’s event raised over $12,000 for charity.
  • Broadcast by Podium eSports and featuring all-new paint scheme designs from MaxGrafix
  • Host: Eric Estepp, Out of the Groove 
  • Broadcasters: Podium eSports
  • Producer: Gary Sexton. Podium eSports
  • Executive Producer: A.E. Engine/The Daily Downforce 

2023 Entry List

Car No.DriverManufacturerSponsor
44Joe KrautChevroletAcross the Board
78Brandon PaunettoChevroletBlaster
77Collin FernChevroletClore Automotive
26Ryan VargasChevroletCritical Path Security
45Lawless AlanChevroletAUTO Parkit
66Jon GarrettChevroletFort Worth Screen Printing
31Parker RetzlaffChevroletFunkaway
75Presley SorahFordLionel Racing
6Mario MerendaFordNational Metering
43Thad MoffittChevroletPetty’s Garage
46Ford MartinChevroletVenture Foods
02Brennan PooleChevroletToxic Waste Sour Candy
5Zach DaoustChevroletA.E. Engine
7David SchildhouseChevroletBologna Burger
63Malachi DrakeChevroletDogleg Media
49Avery SchwabFordElly Productions
11Rhett TuckerToyotaMaxgrafix
12Josh SlateFordNFJJ
17Christopher TateChevroletOut of the Groove
99Brennan PooleChevroletPower Hour & Circle B Diecast
92Jon GutekunstFordUnderfunded Team
81Dale TanhardtChevroletThe Daily Downforce
88Tim CombsChevroletThe Iceberg
27Gavin NewtonToyotaThe Mummy Machine
33Dalton KilroeChevroletThe Scene Vault Podcast
Vote For Your Favorite Groovy Hollow 3 Paint Schemes

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Cleetus McFarland Explains The One Catch to His NASCAR O’Reilly Series Schedule

by Kauy Ostlien

What’s Happening?

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.

Stirring the Pot

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.

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Cleetus McFarland’s First NASCAR Diecast is Officially Available for Pre-Order

by Kauy Ostlien

What’s Happening?

Lionel has officially opened pre-orders for Garrett Mitchell’s (better known as Cleetus McFarland) first-ever NASCAR diecast.

  • This announcement comes as part of his upcoming debut in NASCAR’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Series next month. While the sponsor, Tommy’s Express Car Wash, and car number, No. 33, are known, there has yet to be an official render of his paint scheme released to the public.
  • Lionel Racing is offering two diecast options for Mitchell: the first option is the 1:64 scale diecast at $11.75, and the second is a 1:24 scale diecast at $70.00. As of press time, it appears the car will not receive any other options, such as Special Finishes like Color Chrome or Galaxy Colored.
  • Mitchell announced his first NASCAR OAP Series race on Wednesday afternoon, signing a two-year, three-race-per-year deal with RCR. This is a major step for the YouTube star turned NASCAR driver, who made his ARCA debut last season.
  • Due to his popularity both in and out of NASCAR, Mitchell’s diecast may be one of the most anticipated in recent memory. Many race fans are already giving bold predictions for the large order quantity this car will receive by the time it reaches production.

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BRISTOL, TENNESSEE - SEPTEMBER 11: Garrett Mitchell, also known as Cleetus McFarland, driver of the #30 Kenetik Ford waits on the grid prior to the ARCA Menards Series Bush's Beans 200 at Bristol Motor Speedway on September 11, 2025 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

UPDATE: Cleetus McFarland Will Race in the NASCAR O’Reilly Series This Year

by Kauy Ostlien

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 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.

  • Mitchell announced his signing with RCR in a Wednesday afternoon post on his Facebook. The 30-year-old says that RCR reached out, offering to make him “a better driver and give you an opportunity to grow in this sport.”
  • The Floridaian will drive the team’s part-time No. 33 on a part-time basis over the next two seasons. Mitchell claims in his post that the deal is three races a year, but hints it could be more, saying “3 races a year right now.”
  • Mitchell, who made his NASCAR debut last season with a four-race schedule in the ARCA Menards Series, has brought a legion of fans to NASCAR in his few starts. So far, Mitchell has made five career starts in the ARCA Menards Series and one in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
  • That start in the Truck Series, at Daytona earlier this season, was a spark of controversy, as, after crashing in his test for approval, Mitchell crashed himself early on in the race. While he has his supporters, including many in the garage area, this move up the NASCAR ladder will likely see some pushback from fans across the board.
  • As of press time, Mitchell has yet to announce his first race of this part-time schedule with RCR.

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.