Forward of his extremely anticipated NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Components Sequence debut at Rockingham, widespread YouTuber Cleetus McFarland (Garrett Mitchell) took half within the ARCA Menards East Sequence race at The Rock, ending fourth in his career-best outcome.
„After climbing from the automobile, a really excited Cleetus mentioned: „Truthfully, I simply went on the market and turned left for Greg Biffle. I had extra confidence at present than I’ve ever had in a inventory automobile. Regardless that I obtained the world towards me, I obtained all these individuals right here rooting for me. I used to be feeling good … the Rette Jones Racing No. 30 was turning so good. I imply, I had the leaders in my sights the entire time. I used to be a bit off-pace, however I can not consider it. I am fired up and really feel good!“
Talking extra on Biffle, the NASCAR legend who mentored Cleetus earlier than dropping his life in a tragic place crash final December, Cleetus added: „I feel he’d be comfortable I did not do something silly. Biff did not educate me dumb stuff, so I did not do any dumb stuff at present. I attempted to make use of every little thing he is ever taught me.“
ARCA race recap
He’ll begin thirty fifth within the NASCAR O’Reilly race later at present with Richard Childress Racing, however in ARCA East, he certified seventh within the No. 30 Rette Jones Racing Chevrolet. In 5 earlier begins on the high degree of ARCA, he has two high tens however no end higher than ninth.
He was joined by pal and fellow content material creator George Siciliano (higher generally known as Squirrel McNut on-line), who not too long ago made his ARCA East debut at Hickory. He was a teammate to Cleetus, driving the No. 0 for Rette Jones Racing.
Initially of the Rockingham race, Cleetus rapidly handed Isaac Kitzmiller across the outdoors for sixth, and held that place for a lot of the primary run. When Max Reaves fell a number of laps down because of a reduce tire, it bumped Cleetus up inside the highest 5. Quickly after, Gavan Boschele slammed the wall with a flat tire, transferring Cleetus as much as fourth within the working order. Siciliano was additionally having a good day, working ninth, however fell a few laps down.
Cleetus remained on the lead lap, and went back-and-forth with Kitzmiller over fourth-place on a number of restart, with Cleetus prevailing simply earlier than the midway break.
Within the second half of the race, Cleetus fell again behind Kitzmiller, however he did not stay fifth, passing Connor Corridor for fourth.
With 45 laps to go, Siciliano went for a half-spin and whereas he suffered no injury and misplaced no positions, it did deliver out a warning.
Cleetus held fourth till the following warning, which flew with 15 laps to go. The race was halted for cleanup with 12 laps remaining within the race.
The race resumed with simply 9 laps to go, and nothing modified up entrance. Cleetus completed fourth, scoring his first high 5 in any NASCAR-sanctioned occasion, whereas Siciliano positioned 4 spots higher than his final outing, ending ninth.
Tristan McKee received the race forward of Carson Brown Kitzmiller, going back-to-back to open the 2026 ARCA East season.
Motorsport.com was a part of a media scrum that heard extra from Cleetus and automobile proprietor/crew chief Mark Rette after the race, which you’ll be able to watch right here:
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