2x Daytona 500 winner makes stunning Cleetus McFarland revelation on live TV

Michael Waltrip revealed that Cleetus McFarland is coming to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series next year. During a live FOX Sports broadcast at Michigan International Speedway, the two-time Daytona 500 winner (2001, 2003) said that McFarland would be teaming up with the rumored Ram team, which he expects to be announced on Sunday (June 8).

McFarland, a.k.a. Lawrence Garrett Mitchell, is an automotive YouTuber who debuted in the ARCA Menards Series earlier this year. With his massive following, the 30-year-old has quickly made a name for himself in the series, backed by two top-10 finishes in three starts.

His rumored team, Ram, is a pickup truck brand that was formerly part of Dodge, the speculated fourth OEM coming to NASCAR. However, the two brands are still under Stellantis and are expected to work together in their reported stock car racing venture.

In an X post, NASCAR content creator Daniel Baldwin shared Michael Waltrip's comments from the live FOX coverage of the DQS Solutions & Staffing 250 at Michigan.

“*Fox talking about Ram tweet teasing tomorrow’s announcement* Michael Waltrip: ‘I’d like for them to announce Cleetus McFarland’s going truck racing next year’. Well, alright then, let’s just say it all while we’re at it.”

DannyBTalks (Daniel Baldwin)

@DannyBTalks

*Fox talking about Ram tweet teasing tomorrow’s announcement*

Michael Waltrip: “I’d like for them to announce Cletus McFarland’s going truck racing next year.”

Well alright then, let’s just say it all while we’re at it.

Ram posted a couple of short teaser videos about an announcement on June 8. One of the teasers shows a truck performing a burnout on an oval track, while fitted with Goodyear tires, the official tire partner of NASCAR.

If Cleetus McFarland does indeed join the Truck Series with Ram next year, the pickup truck brand should benefit from the YouTuber's huge following, which saw spikes in viewership earlier this year. In return, McFarland would get more NASCAR starts, which will be essential in fulfilling his goal of running the Daytona 500 one day.

---

“It's not off the board”: Cleetus McFarland on potentially entering Daytona 500

In an interview with Kevin Harvick, Cleetus McFarland said he wanted to race in the prestigious Daytona 500. However, he didn't want to jump into the series, considering some inexperienced drivers have embarrassed themselves on the big stage over the years.

The NASCAR YouTuber said (via the Happy Hour podcast):

“But in just this one season, you and I have both watched several people shove their way into Cup and look like fools. And I originally, when I called Biff, (Greg Biffle) I'm like, I just, you know, I want to race Cup. I'm like, he's like, well, you got to do this and this.” [0:33]

“I think our original goal was the Daytona 500 2027. And I'm not saying that's off the board. But like, now that I know just a smidge about NASCAR, I still think that that might be too early. Because them guys are on a whole 'nother level,” he added.

The interview was shot at Talladega Superspeedway, where McFarland captured his first top-10 finish in the ARCA Menards Series. He drove the #30 Rette Jones Racing Ford to a 10th-place finish while about 70,000 viewers tuned in to his in-car camera during the race.