Cleetus McFarland Faces Challenges at Bristol Motor Speedway

Bristol, Tennessee, September 12, 2025

News Summary

Cleetus McFarland, the YouTube star and ARCA driver, struggled to finish 19th at Bristol Motor Speedway after encountering tire issues during the race. Starting from 20th and showing some progress, McFarland’s performance took a hit due to a tire failure, marking a significant moment in his ARCA career as his first finish outside the top 10. Race winner Brent Crews dominated the event, leading all laps. McFarland’s coach, Greg Biffle, aimed to provide strategies for the challenging track, highlighting the difficulties faced by less experienced drivers.

Bristol, Tennessee – Cleetus McFarland, the popular YouTube star and rising figure in the ARCA Menards Series, struggled during his latest race at Bristol Motor Speedway, finishing in 19th place after encountering tire issues. This event marked McFarland’s fourth start of the year, and it proved to be an uphill battle against a challenging track known for its demanding conditions.

Starting the race in 20th position, McFarland demonstrated some dexterity by moving up to 18th by the halfway mark, although he was two laps down from the leader at that time. As the race progressed, he managed to gain one more position to 17th with only 50 laps remaining, before ultimately reaching 16th by the 25-lap mark left in the race. Unfortunately, just two laps later, a tire failure on the right front forced him into a slow pace, resulting in light contact with the outside wall.

Despite the setback, McFarland made a quick pit stop for tire replacement and repairs. However, he returned to the track seven laps down, concluding the race in 19th place. This finish marks the first occasion in McFarland’s ARCA career where he has completed a race outside of the top 10.

Brent Crews, driving the JGR No. 18 Mobil 1 Toyota, dominated the race, leading all 200 laps and securing his team’s 50th career victory in the ARCA series. Meanwhile, Butterbean Queen, who is currently leading the points race, finished third after having to recover from a sliding incident that briefly dropped her to fourth position during the race.

Prior to this race at Bristol, McFarland had shown improvement throughout the season. After a challenging start at Daytona in February, where he was involved in a multi-car incident, he placed 10th in Talladega, marking his first top-10 finish, followed by a 9th place finish at Charlotte. The event at Bristol, however, posed unique challenges, especially for less experienced drivers, leading to concerns about his capabilities on this particular track.

McFarland’s participation in the race was bolstered by Greg Biffle, who served as his driving coach. Biffle’s extensive experience in the world of ARCA racing was expected to provide McFarland with valuable insights and strategies to navigate the complexities of Bristol Motor Speedway.

As the ARCA Menards Series continues its season, McFarland will surely be looking to bounce back from this performance and leverage his experiences to improve in future races.

Overview of Race Events

• Cleetus McFarland’s Start: 20th position
• Current Season Highlights:
  • Daytona: Involved in a multi-car incident
  • Talladega: 10th place (first top-10 finish)
  • Charlotte: 9th place
• Final Race Position: 19th place
• Race Winner: Brent Crews, leading all 200 laps
• 3rd Place: Butterbean Queen, current points leader

Background on Bristol Motor Speedway

Bristol Motor Speedway is well-known for its tight corners and high-speed racing, often creating an intense atmosphere for both drivers and fans. The track has been a challenging venue for numerous drivers, particularly those with less experience. Given McFarland’s prior experience in dirt events at the track, expectations were mixed as he transitioned back to ARCA racing on this historically demanding circuit.

FAQ

Key Features of the ARCA Race at Bristol

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Bristol Motor Speedway Prepares for MLB and NASCAR Events
Cleetus McFarland Achieves Ninth Place in ARCA Series Race

Additional Resources

• Motorsport.com
• Wikipedia: Bristol Motor Speedway
• Frontstretch
• Google Search: Cleetus McFarland ARCA Bristol
• ARCA Racing
• Google Scholar: Cleetus McFarland ARCA Bristol
• Inkl News
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Cleetus McFarland
• Speed Sport
• Google News: Cleetus McFarland ARCA Bristol

Author: STAFF HERE BRISTOL WRITTER

The BRISTOL STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBristol.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Bristol, Sullivan County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, NASCAR races at Bristol Motor Speedway, Border Bash concert series, and the Hot Bristol Night Car Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Bristol Chamber of Commerce, Believe in Bristol, and the Birthplace of Country Music, plus leading businesses in healthcare, manufacturing, and entertainment that power the local economy such as Ballad Health, Strongwell, and Bristol Motor Speedway. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREChattanooga.com, HEREKnoxville.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.