After realizing that his wild antics were getting his YouTube videos demonetized, Garrett Mitchell knew he needed a place of his own. That dream led him to purchase a rundown racetrack in Bradenton, Florida, for $2.2 million in 2020. “I sold everything I could and borrowed some money to make it happen,” he recalled. The three-eighths-mile oval, once called DeSoto Super Speedway, sat next to his favorite drag strip—an ideal setup for hosting huge, rowdy events. But Mitchell isn’t just any racer; he’s better known as Cleetus McFarland, the YouTube sensation who’s forging his own motorsports empire.
Cleetus wasn’t just following in the footsteps of legends like Dale Earnhardt Jr.; he was redefining the path. By 2019, he had already built a massive online following with viral videos like “BLEW BY A COP AT 120+mph! OOPS!” But as YouTube tightened its monetization rules, Cleetus wanted more freedom—and he found it at the Freedom Factory.
When COVID-19 shut down live events, Cleetus pivoted quickly, hosting a pay-per-view race at his newly acquired track. Despite technical chaos, including camera crews scrambling to get the right shots, the event drew 75,000 viewers and proved a massive success. This led to the launch of FRDM+ in 2022, a streaming platform offering exclusive races, influencer interviews, and crazy stunts for $20 a month or $120 a year. Unlike the polished big networks, FRDM+ captures the raw spirit of grassroots racing and has attracted over 212,500 subscribers with a 93% retention rate, according to FRDM+ tech chief Jonny Mill.
Fans packed the stands, millions streamed online, and Cleetus showed that grassroots racing could still command the spotlight. Much like Dale Earnhardt Jr., who is expanding his Dirty Mo Media empire, Cleetus is giving a voice to racers and fans who thrive on passion rather than polish.
McFarland’s passion was also on full display at Talladega, where he scored an impressive top-ten finish in the ARCA series. After a rough debut at Daytona, he fought through mechanical issues and late-race chaos to grab 10th place. “I thought we were done,” Cleetus admitted, after avoiding a major crash. Despite a broken valve spring early in the race, he pushed through, thrilling fans who watched his every move. Cleetus plans to return to Talladega this fall, keeping his incredible momentum alive.
