Richard Childress has seen just about everything NASCAR can throw at a team owner. So when critics questioned Garrett “Cleetus McFarland” Mitchell’s move into stock-car racing, Richard Childress didn’t hesitate to push back. Instead, he leaned in.
Speaking in a recent interview, Childress made it clear the partnership between Richard Childress Racing and the YouTube star wasn’t a gamble. In his view, it was a smart, forward-looking move for both his organization and the sport.
When Ty Dillon first brought the idea to him, Childress said the decision came easily. The potential upside was too big to ignore, especially at a time when NASCAR continues to look for new ways to grow its audience.
Richard Childress sees Value in Cleetus McFarland’s Reach
Childress pointed straight to one thing, the audience.
“Here, Cleetus, who is Garrett (Mitchell), has close to five million followers. And if we can get 10% of those new fans coming to races and looking at the racetrack because of Cleetus… and I know he brought people to Rockingham, brought people watching the race.”
That kind of reach is hard to find in traditional driver development. Garrett Mitchell built his following outside NASCAR, but Childress believes that’s exactly what makes him valuable.
The early numbers back it up. McFarland’s debut in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at Rockingham delivered a 12 percent increase in ratings and an 11 percent jump in total viewership compared to the previous year. That spike came with heavy social media attention, as fans followed every moment of his race.
Rookie Reality Brings Both Mistakes and Attention
Childress didn’t ignore the challenges. He acknowledged McFarland is still learning and facing the usual growing pains that come with stepping into NASCAR competition.
“He’s a rookie. I’m proud of what he did last week. He finished fourth in the ARCA race. He’s raced, but he doesn’t have the experience. I think some of the drivers are beating him up a little excessively because he’s getting a lot of attention, probably.”
“That’s for sure. You worry when they don’t talk about you. But Cleetus did a great job.”
For Childress, the mistakes aren’t a concern. He pointed out that every driver he has worked with went through the same process early in their careers.
Long-term Plan Focuses on Growth and Opportunity
Childress framed McFarland’s journey as part of a larger progression that every driver faces in NASCAR.
“When you step up, if you go from late model to trucks to Xfinity car, every step is tougher and tougher and tougher. I think you learn something from it.”
McFarland’s deal with RCR runs for two years, with at least three races per season planned. NASCAR has not yet approved him for superspeedway events like Talladega, opting for a more gradual path. Childress expects that to change with time and experience.
“I think you’ll see Cleetus, we’re going to get him in some more races along the way.”
Beyond results, Childress highlighted McFarland’s natural ability to connect with fans. That, he believes, is just as important as performance on track.
For a veteran owner, this isn’t about short-term headlines. It’s about building something that lasts. In Childress’s view, bringing in a personality like McFarland is a calculated move to grow NASCAR’s fan base and keep the sport moving forward.
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