“When you beat Jeff Gordon at Martinsville, you’ve notched it up. That gave us a lot of momentum, and that carried us for a couple more years.” Jimmie Johnson’s Crew Chief, Chad Knaus, said this when asked about his driver beating his mentor at his play zone. But Gordon took it very sportively back in 2007. He congratulated his mentee and was all praises for him. However, not all mentors and mentees can share a track. And one veteran driver has quite a few things to say about his current mentee. And, this man has a ballistic track record across all motorsports.

Max Papis is a guy who’s done it all in racing. IndyCar, Formula 1, NASCAR, sports cars, you name it. He’s the kind of motorsports veteran whose advice carries real weight in any paddock, whether you’re a rookie or a champion. But what sets Papis apart isn’t just his résumé; it’s his passion for mentoring the next generation and spotting raw talent where others might see only outsiders.

Lately, he’s been keeping a close eye on a certain YouTuber-turned-racer by the name of Cleetus McFarland, who’s been shaking up the stock car world. Papis knows what it takes to transition from one racing discipline to another, and he’s not shy about hyping up those who impress him-especially when they do it on one of racing’s biggest stages.

A mentor’s guidance, hype, and praise

Max Papis and Cleetus McFarland have a relationship that goes back years. “I know Cleetus for about three years. He’s been one of our great clients in MPI,” Papis explained. Papis has been closely watching Cleetus McFarland’s transition from YouTube star to legitimate racer ever since.

After McFarland’s impressive top-ten finish in the 2025 ARCA Menards Series General Tire 200 at Talladega Superspeedway, Papis praised him, “I mean, he’s just a badass race car driver that he fakes to be a YouTuber. I don’t think it’s the opposite.” McFarland, on the other hand, has often projected himself as “YouTuber first, Racer second.”

Driving the No. 30 Ford Mustang for Rette Jones Racing, McFarland skillfully avoided the chaos typical of Talladega’s superspeedway racing. Despite running a cylinder down for much of the race, he managed a career-best finish inside the top ten. McFarland’s impressive performance proves his driving ability far exceeds his online persona. Papis rightfully noted, “For someone who has no experience, finishing in the top ten here in Talladega, it’s huge.”

Papis has also been a mentor to McFarland, offering advice and support. “I told him before the race, I shared what I learned. Biffle told me as well, ‘Don’t do what you don’t know,’” Papis explained. He emphasized the importance of trusting instincts and staying within one’s comfort zone in such a challenging environment. Cleetus McFarland did exactly that. He kept his calm and managed to avoid incidents, somehow hung onto the lead draft, and got a respectable finish in the end.

Beyond the track, Papis admires McFarland’s character, and this goes beyond his social media put-up persona. “He is just an amazing person outside the car, inside the car,” Papis said. Their collaboration even included designing a special American steering wheel for McFarland’s car, symbolizing their shared commitment. Papis concluded, “I just wanted to give him my support and my love.”

McFarland’s Talladega performance and Papis’ strong endorsement mark a significant step in the YouTuber’s racing career. As he continues to gain experience and respect, McFarland is proving that his passion and talent can compete with the best on motorsports’ grandest stages.

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Cleetus McFarland receives racing wisdom from NASCAR greats

Cleetus McFarland’s transition from YouTube star to ARCA Menards Series racer has been powered not just by his own determination, but by a remarkable circle of veteran mentors. While Max Papis has played a key role in supporting and hyping McFarland’s efforts, he’s far from the only motorsport legend lending a hand.

Ahead of his superspeedway debut at Daytona and Talladega, McFarland sought out advice from NASCAR Cup Series champion Greg Biffle. Biffle, a Daytona 500 winner, has been instrumental in guiding McFarland through the nuances of stock car racing. Biffle’s mentorship included hands-on coaching during preseason practice, helping McFarland secure his superspeedway license and adapt quickly to the demands of the 2.5-mile oval.

But the guidance didn’t stop there. For his Talladega ARCA run, McFarland received a masterclass from none other than Dale Earnhardt Jr., a six-time Talladega winner. In a special session, Earnhardt Jr. took McFarland for a ride around the massive oval. Along the way, he shared secrets on qualifying, drafting, and race strategy. Dale Jr. emphasized the importance of maximizing speed on the warm-up lap and how to approach the green flag at a superspeedway. This kind of direct, practical advice from a Talladega expert gave McFarland an invaluable edge.

Rette Jones Racing co-owner Mark Rette also praised McFarland’s rapid adaptation, He said, “His attention to detail and asking questions before, during, and after the practice session leads us to believe that he is more than ready for Saturday’s challenge.” The support from Biffle, Earnhardt Jr., Papis, and his team has helped McFarland bridge the gap from content creator to credible racer. McFarland has shown that even in the fiercely competitive world of stock car racing, mentorship and teamwork can make all the difference.