Cleetus McFarland's Chaotic Super Late Model Debut at Battle at Berlin
In a thrilling and tumultuous turn of events, social media sensation Cleetus McFarland, also known as Garrett Mitchell, recently made his much-anticipated Super Late Model debut at the legendary Berlin Raceway in Michigan. The race, a highly competitive event dubbed the 'Tekton 250 Battle at Berlin', saw McFarland navigate a demanding course in his newly acquired No. 33 Late Model vehicle.
McFarland's Challenging Debut and Future Racing Ambitions
The race, held on August 13, 2026, proved to be an eventful one for McFarland. Starting from the 22nd position in a field of 27 cars, he quickly found himself embroiled in the thick of the action. Early in the race, he was forced to execute a skillful spin to avoid a collision ahead, a testament to the unpredictable nature of stock car racing. Throughout the event, McFarland's car endured constant fender-to-fender contact and battled a persistent tire rub, adding to the intensity of his inaugural outing. A particularly notable moment occurred mid-race when fellow competitor Evan Szotko expressed his displeasure with a hand gesture while being lapped by McFarland.
However, McFarland's night took an unfortunate turn with less than 20 laps remaining. While battling for position, his car became loose directly in front of the race leader, causing him to spin and slide across the track. Although the leader narrowly avoided contact, Keith Herp, who was running a lap down in 14th place, was not as fortunate. The ensuing heavy collision left both cars severely damaged, forcing McFarland's No. 33 out of the race. He ultimately finished in 19th position.
Reflecting on the experience with FloRacing, McFarland candidly admitted, 'Well I just suck, you know. I just suck.' He elaborated on the difficulties of adapting to the new car, stating, 'I was fighting for my life out there, trying to just learn this thing. Got a couple of good runs and then I would overheat my right-rear, trying to overdrive it.' He attributed the final incident to driving too aggressively, resulting in the car getting loose and being hit from the inside. Despite the disappointing end, McFarland expressed genuine enthusiasm for the experience, adding, 'I was having the time of my life. Honestly, it was so fun and great.' He also extended an apology to Herp's team, hoping their car wasn't too severely damaged.
The Battle at Berlin was ultimately won by Tristan McKee, who is set to make his NASCAR Truck Series debut the following weekend in Richmond. Bubba Pollard secured second place, with NASCAR Cup Series star Carson Hocevar finishing third.
Looking ahead, Cleetus McFarland plans to continue his late model racing endeavors at the Freedom Factory, a 3/8-mile oval track he owns in Florida. His next scheduled NASCAR appearance is the Craftsman Truck Series event at Talladega Superspeedway on October 23rd, where he previously achieved a close second-place finish in an ARCA race earlier this year.
Cleetus McFarland's debut in the Super Late Model, while ending in a wreck, serves as a powerful reminder of the steep learning curve and inherent challenges in motorsports. His willingness to compete, embrace the difficulties, and maintain a positive outlook, even after a setback, is truly commendable. It underscores the passion and resilience required to pursue racing dreams, even for established figures. His journey highlights that success isn't always about winning, but about the experience, the lessons learned, and the unwavering dedication to the sport. It will be exciting to see how his skills develop as he continues to chase his NASCAR aspirations.