Bill Elliott on Cleetus McFarland’s ARCA Debut: Why Fresh Faces Like Garrett Mitchell Are Vital to NASCAR’s Future
NASCAR has been hearing mixed reviews from fans lately — some say the sport has lost its edge, others feel it’s drifting from its roots. But when news broke that Cleetus McFarland (Garrett Mitchell) will compete in the ARCA Menards Series event at Charlotte Motor Speedway next weekend, fans got excited — and for good reason.
Bill Elliott — NASCAR Hall of Famer and one of the most beloved drivers in the sport’s history — weighed in on why this kind of fresh energy is exactly what NASCAR needs right now.
“NASCAR isn’t just about legends and big names,” Elliott said. “It’s about passion, talent, and new blood coming in with fresh ideas and energy. Cleetus McFarland might not be a household name in racing yet, but he’s bringing a whole new group of fans to the sport. That’s huge.”
A New Kind of Racer for a New Generation
Unlike traditional drivers who climb the ranks through karting and decades of racing, Garrett Mitchell built his reputation on YouTube — creating videos about cars, racing, and all things horsepower, while cultivating a huge and loyal fanbase. His success online shows a different path into motorsports, one that taps into younger, digitally native audiences who might have overlooked NASCAR otherwise.
Bill Elliott sees this as a positive sign.
“What Garrett and guys like him are doing is proving NASCAR can grow beyond its traditional base. These are people who love cars and racing just as much as we did growing up, but they found new ways to connect. That’s exciting.”
Why Fans Are Pumped
Fans of NASCAR and motorsports at large are energized by Cleetus McFarland’s move for a few key reasons:
- He’s authentic — no fancy PR, just pure passion for racing.
- He’s relatable — coming from grassroots, DIY culture.
- He’s engaging — millions watch his content, which is fun and educational.
- He’s bridging gaps — connecting internet culture with traditional racing.
What This Means for NASCAR’s Future
Bill Elliott sums it up best:
“To stay strong, NASCAR needs fresh faces and fresh fans. Guys like Cleetus bring that in. They remind us that racing is for everyone — not just those who’ve been in the game for decades.”
So while Garrett Mitchell might not be an “old-school legend” yet, his entry into the ARCA Menards Series signals something important: NASCAR’s evolution is underway, and it’s fueled by new kinds of stars rising up.
