Cleetus McFarland to race full time in ARCA Menards Series in 2027

NXTbets Pro | Published On: October 27, 2026

McFarland’s ARCA move

Garrett Mitchell, known as Cleetus McFarland, is headed for a full-time run in the ARCA Menards Series next season in a Richard Childress Racing-prepared car, according to Matt Weaver on The Burnout Podcast via Kenny Wallace Media. McFarland signed a two-year deal with Richard Childress Racing earlier this year, and an announcement about his ARCA plans is expected this week. He did not confirm the move at Talladega Superspeedway, but the reported step points to a bigger role in stock-car racing after a stretch that has included races in ARCA, the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and the NASCAR Truck Series. The move also keeps McFarland tied to Richard Childress Racing, which has already become part of his racing path. He has built that path through a mix of starts and results that have given him a clearer foothold in national-level stock car competition. The ARCA piece now appears ready to become the center of it.

McFarland’s ARCA results

McFarland has made eight ARCA starts across the last two seasons, and the results show a driver who has already found flashes of speed in the series. He earned his first ARCA pole at Michigan, a key marker for any driver trying to move from occasional appearances to a steadier schedule. He also finished second at Talladega in an ARCA start and added a fourth-place finish at Rockingham. Those finishes give him a résumé that includes front-running speed on a superspeedway and solid runs on different types of tracks. McFarland’s stock-car work has not been limited to ARCA. He made two NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series starts and finished 32nd and 35th in those races. He also made three NASCAR Truck Series starts. The body of work shows a driver who has already touched three major NASCAR national series while building his next step. The full-time ARCA ride now gives him a more defined place to settle in and race on a regular basis.

McFarland’s NASCAR plans

McFarland has also hinted that his future could reach beyond ARCA. He said there are “cool and unexpected” plans in the works with NASCAR, and he said his first meeting with the sanctioning body led to two penalties. He added that his relationship with NASCAR has improved since then. McFarland said NASCAR’s involvement could extend to his Freedom Factory track, and he said the organization could also help support other racing plans. He mentioned a possible O’Reilly Auto Parts Series start on a superspeedway next year as part of that broader picture. Those comments fit the more expansive role he has been describing around his racing program. McFarland is no longer just chasing occasional starts. He is lining up a fuller schedule, a stronger partnership with Richard Childress Racing and more room for future projects tied to NASCAR. The expected ARCA announcement gives the clearest sign yet of where that effort is headed.