Cleetus McFarland Crashes in NASCAR Truck Series Debut at Daytona

DAYTONA BEACH, FL – YouTube personality Cleetus McFarland’s highly anticipated NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut at Daytona International Speedway ended abruptly on Saturday, February 14, 2026, after a six-lap wreck. McFarland, whose real name is Garrett Mitchell, was driving the No. 4 Niece Motorsports Chevrolet.

The incident occurred as McFarland was running around tenth place. According to reports, he lost traction exiting Turn 4, causing the truck to wobble and spin sideways, impacting the inside wall near the entrance to pit road with the driver’s side. The No. 4 Silverado then continued through the infield grass before coming to a stop.

“I’m all good,” McFarland radioed to his crew following the crash. “That was a hard knock but I’m good.” He was evaluated and released from the infield care center, and is expected to finish 37th.

Despite the early exit, McFarland expressed a sense of exhilaration and self-deprecating humor following the incident. “The sensation was incredible,” he said. “We were three wide, which was insane from the start. It was immediately three-wide, which I wasn’t expecting. It was insane. I was having the time of my life. I just did not check myself before I wrecked myself.”

McFarland detailed the sequence of events leading to the crash, attributing it to a miscalculation while navigating the crowded racing line. “I got loose out of Turn 4, and I was flying. I put too much wheel in it because I was getting tight because we were freaking three wide on the second lap. I think I only made it seven laps.”

He continued, explaining his attempt to avoid contact with other drivers and the resulting overcorrection. “I was a little tight, and I was just trying not to hit the guy on the outside. I came off Turn 4, flattened out, and I think I had too much wheel in it. I just started to get loose. I went right towards the field, and I’m like damn, I’m about to wreck 30 race cars, and I overcorrected to the left like an idiot. That’s something Biff (Greg Biffle) did not teach me right there. I went left, put myself on a trajectory to hit the wall. Slammed into the wall, wrecked the truck, and now here I stand in the worst spot to do an interview at the Daytona International Speedway.”

McFarland’s foray into NASCAR comes after a successful run in the ARCA Menard’s Series last year. He gained prominence through his popular YouTube channel, where he showcases automotive builds, stunts, and racing. His transition to the Truck Series was partially facilitated by a friendship with the late Greg Biffle, a former NASCAR Cup Series driver, who helped grow McFarland’s online presence before Biffle’s death in December 2025.

The relationship between McFarland and Biffle began during the Hurricane Helene relief effort in 2024. They bonded over a shared passion for motorsports and collaborated on various automotive projects. Biffle’s influence played a significant role in McFarland’s growing popularity and ultimately paved the way for his NASCAR debut.

Despite the disappointing end to his Truck Series debut, McFarland is scheduled to start fifth in the ARCA Menard’s Series race at Daytona on Saturday, February 14, 2026, offering him another opportunity to compete at the iconic track. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges and risks inherent in NASCAR racing, even for experienced drivers, and highlights the steep learning curve for newcomers like McFarland.

The crash occurred early enough in the race that it did not significantly impact the overall competition for the lead. However, it marked a premature end to a highly anticipated debut for a driver who has cultivated a large and dedicated following outside of traditional motorsports circles. McFarland’s presence in NASCAR has been viewed as a potential avenue for attracting a new demographic to the sport, and his future participation remains to be seen.