Cleetus McFarland is one of the biggest names in online car culture. He’s a YouTuber, businessman, and part-time racing driver known for wild car builds, drag racing, and huge motorsport events. He also owns his own racetrack in Florida. Behind the funny “hillbilly” character is a smart entrepreneur who turned a joke into a career.
Who is Cleetus McFarland?
Cleetus McFarland is an American automotive YouTuber and racing driver who built a massive following by making high-energy car videos. He started out as a social media manager for the car media company 1320Video before his on-screen character took off.
Over the years he has grown into a full-on businessman. He bought and revived an old speedway, launched merchandise lines, and now races part-time across NASCAR and ARCA series. Fans love his mix of humor, skill, and real passion for cars.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Garrett Mitchell |
| Nickname | Cleetus, Cleetus McFarland |
| Profession | YouTuber, Businessman, Racing Driver |
| Date of Birth | April 5, 1995 |
| Age | 31 years (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Omaha, Nebraska, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Zodiac Sign | Aries |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Known For | Cleetus McFarland YouTube channel, Freedom Factory racetrack |
Cleetus McFarland Real Name
Cleetus McFarland’s real name is Garrett Mitchell. “Cleetus McFarland” is actually a stage persona, not the name he was born with.
The character came to life in 2015. A friend named Kyle Loftis created the funny nickname while filming Garrett doing goofy commentary at a racing event, and it quickly went viral. Garrett liked it so much that he named his YouTube channel after it.
Today most fans and even racing broadcasts call him Cleetus. His real name is rarely used outside of close friends and family. A few sources list his full name as Lawrence Garrett Mitchell, though this is not officially confirmed.
Cleetus McFarland’s Height, Weight and Physical Appearance?
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Height | Around 6 feet 6 inches (198 cm) |
| Weight | Around 90 kg (198 lbs) |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Hair Color | Brown |
| Body Type | Tall and slim |
Cleetus McFarland is famous for being very tall. He stands at roughly 6 feet 6 inches, which makes him one of the tallest personalities in the car world.
His height often shows up in his videos, where he sometimes looks a bit too big for tight race car cockpits. Fans jokingly point out how he has to fold himself into smaller cars.
He usually keeps a laid-back, casual look. In character he’s known for the mullet hairstyle and sleeveless shirts, but off-camera his style is much more normal and low-key.
Background and Early Life
Garrett Mitchell was born on April 5, 1995, and grew up in Omaha, Nebraska. He was raised around cars from a young age, which shaped his lifelong love for engines and speed.
His family had strong automotive roots, and he spent a lot of time helping out with vehicle-related work as a kid. That hands-on experience gave him real mechanical knowledge early on.
Later he moved to Florida and attended the University of Tampa. Around this time he began working with 1320Video, which is where his creative and comedic side really started to shine.
Is he married? Who is Cleetus McFarland’s Wife?
Yes, Cleetus McFarland is married. His wife is Madison Mitchell, often called Madi, whose maiden name was Madison Lutz.
The couple got engaged in April 2021, when Garrett proposed at a racing venue. They married in December 2021 and have been building their life together ever since.
Madi is an entrepreneur in her own right and has been linked to a swimwear brand. The pair are fairly private about their personal life, but they do share family moments with fans now and then. They live near his racetrack in Bradenton, Florida.
Family Background
Cleetus McFarland comes from a close-knit, car-loving family. His parents are reported as Lori Edwards Mitchell and Mark Mitchell, and he stays close with his mother, who has appeared on his social media a few times.
He grew up with siblings, including a brother named Parker Mitchell, who reportedly went into dentistry, and a sister named Lauren Mitchell.
Garrett and his wife Madi have children of their own. They have a son named Rip, born in late 2022, and a daughter named Ella, born in 2024. He often shows his softer, family-man side away from the loud world of racing.
Cleetus McFarland’s Net Worth 2026
| Year | Estimated Net Worth |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $4 million |
| 2023 | $5 million |
| 2024 | $6 million |
| 2025 | $7 million |
| 2026 | $8 million |
As of 2026, Cleetus McFarland’s net worth is estimated to be around $8 million, though figures vary quite a bit from one source to another.
His money comes from several places. YouTube ad revenue is a big part, but he also earns from merchandise, sponsorships, and paid events at his racetrack.
On top of that, he’s a real business investor. He owns the Freedom Factory racetrack, holds stakes in automotive companies, and has invested in property and even a private airport. These ventures have helped his wealth grow steadily over the years.
Transparency note: Net worth estimates for Cleetus range widely across sources, from about $1.7 million to $10 million. The figures above are approximate and come from unofficial sites, so treat them as rough estimates only.
Career
Cleetus McFarland started his career behind the scenes as a social media manager for 1320Video, a popular street car media brand. This gave him a front-row seat to online car culture.
His big break came in 2015 when the Cleetus persona went viral. He then launched his own channel and built wild cars, most famously a stripped-down Corvette named “Leroy” that set records and won fans worldwide.
In 2019 he bought an old, abandoned speedway and turned it into the Freedom Factory. Today he hosts huge events there and also races part-time in NASCAR, the Craftsman Truck Series, and ARCA competition.
Lesser-Known Facts About Cleetus McFarland
| Fun Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Licensed Pilot | Can fly both airplanes and helicopters |
| Famous Car | Built a bodyless Corvette named “Leroy” |
| Business Owner | Owns the Freedom Factory racetrack |
| Big Events | Hosts the popular “Cleetus and Cars” shows |
| Investor | Holds stakes in automotive companies |
There’s a lot more to Cleetus than just YouTube videos. One surprising fact is that he’s a licensed pilot who can fly both planes and helicopters, and he even bought a private airport in Florida.
He’s also a serious car builder, not just a driver. His famous “Leroy” Corvette became a legend online for its wild look and record-setting runs.
Beyond racing, he’s a smart investor with ownership in performance auto companies. He’s proof that a fun online character can hide a very sharp business mind.
Cleetus McFarland Social Media
Cleetus McFarland is highly active online, and YouTube is his main platform. His channel has grown past 4.8 million subscribers, with billions of total views across his car and racing videos.
He’s also present on Instagram, where he shares racing clips, family moments, and behind-the-scenes content. His personal account is well known among fans of car culture.
On top of that, he uses platforms like X (Twitter) and Facebook to promote events at the Freedom Factory. Overall, he keeps a strong, consistent presence and interacts a lot with his loyal fanbase.
FAQs
1. What is Cleetus McFarland’s real name?
His real name is Garrett Mitchell. “Cleetus McFarland” is a stage persona he adopted in 2015.
2. How old is Cleetus McFarland?
He was born on April 5, 1995, which makes him 31 years old as of 2026.
3. Who is Cleetus McFarland’s wife?
He is married to Madison “Madi” Mitchell, formerly Madison Lutz. They tied the knot in December 2021.
4. What is Cleetus McFarland’s net worth?
His net worth in 2026 is estimated at around $8 million, though estimates vary widely across sources.
5. What is Cleetus McFarland known for?
He’s known for his automotive YouTube channel, his wild car builds, and owning the Freedom Factory racetrack in Florida.