“After my YouTube was growing and some of my antics [were] getting videos de-monetized, I realized I needed a playground,” YouTube sensation Garrett Mitchell said. That playground became the Freedom Factory, a defunct racetrack in Bradenton, Florida, bought for $2.2 million in 2020. “So I sold everything I could, borrowed some money from my business manager, and went all in for [$]2.2 million,” he said. The three-eighths-mile oval, once called DeSoto Super Speedway, was next to his favorite drag strip, perfect for “massive, rowdy” ticketed events like burnouts and races. But do you know who Garrett is?

Better known as Cleetus McFarland, the YouTube star turned motorsports mogul is not just following Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s path but turbocharging it. His business ideas are leaving Netflix in the dust with a platform that’s all heart and horsepower. Racing is the heartbeat of dreamers—the roar of engines, the sting of sweat, and the stories that make you lean in closer. Back in 2019, Cleetus was already a name among car nuts, his YouTube channel boasting over a million subscribers with videos like “BLEW BY A COP AT 120+mph! OOPS!” and “THERE’S A T-REX ON THE TRACK!” racking up views. But as his antics got videos demonetized, he craved more control.

Cleetus McFarland has brought grassroots racing on a platter for fans

COVID-19 slammed the brakes on his plans, banning large gatherings. “We had no other option but to entertain the people somehow. And with no other racing goin’ on anywhere, we bet big on making something happen. And it worked,” Cleetus recalled. That bet was a pay-per-view (PPV) event in April 2020, a “race against time” to clean up a track where “lights were out, weeds poppin’ up through the asphalt,” per Cleetus. Jonny Mill, FRDM+’s tech guru, said Florida’s shutdown hit the event day, forcing a last-minute crew and a short-statured camera operator to climb on crates to keep Cleetus in frame. Despite crashing websites with 75,000 concurrent viewers, the event was a hit, birthing FRDM+ (originally Cleetervision) in 2022, a subscription service now at $20/month or $120/year, packed with exclusive races, influencer interviews, and stunts.

FRDM+ isn’t just streaming—it’s a rebellion against Netflix’s gloss. Its niche—local tracks, wild stunts, and events like the Freedom 500—gives it an edge. With 21 livestreams planned for 2025, AWS servers, Accedo TV apps, and Brightcove video players, FRDM+ runs smoothly, boasting a 93% retention rate and over 212,500 subscribers, per Mill’s estimate. “We’ve achieved greater success organically than [Discovery] did with their eight-figure marketing investment,” Mill told Ars Technica. Unlike Peacock or Apple TV+, FRDM+ turned profitable in three years, self-funded with 35 employees and a tight-knit livestream crew.

Over 20,000 fans packed the stands, millions streamed on FRDM+, proving grassroots racing could steal the spotlight. Here’s where it becomes emotional for fans. Cleetus is echoing Dale Earnhardt Jr., a NASCAR titan reshaping fan connections. Dale Jr.’s Dirty Mo Media expanding with a SiriusXM podcast deal, while his grassroots-level short track racing broadcasts are moving to FOX, despite fan backlash. Dale Jr. said, “I’m hearing our teams are getting a lot of interest from sponsors. And new sponsors for that particular event. It’s awesome to hear that… I’m excited that the teams are liking the things that are happening. So yeah, we all want this to work. We all want it to go forward.” With 185 million downloads of “Dale Jr. Download,” per SiriusXM, Dale Jr.’s storytelling is a beacon Cleetus follows on FRDM+.

Picturing Cleetus McFarland, once a guy with a camera, now a force beside Dale Jr. His platform gives voice to racers and fans who live for the grind. Forget Netflix’s dramas—FRDM+ is the real deal: burnt rubber, dented fenders, and pure passion. So, ditch the usual apps and tune in to amazing racing! But McFarland’s on-track presence cannot be sidelined.

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McFarland’s wild ride to a Top-Ten Finish at Talladega

Cleetus McFarland turned heads at Talladega Superspeedway, battling chaos to snag an impressive top-ten finish in his No. 30 Rette Jones Racing Ford. Nearly 70,000 fans tuned into his in-car camera, watching the YouTuber tackle the ARCA race with heart and grit.

After a rough ARCA debut at Daytona with a 30th-place DNF, McFarland was determined to shine at Talladega. Starting 24th, he forgot his HANS Device, delaying his pit lane rollout. But once on track, he charged into the top ten. Trouble struck early when a valve train issue tanked his engine, dropping him to 20th. Despite the struggling Ford, McFarland fought back. A late-race crash nearly ended it all when a car tagged his fender on the backstretch. “Tucked one of my wings and just dodged right out of there,” he laughed post-race. “I said, ‘hell no brother, you ain’t taking me out.’”

In the overtime dash, a multi-car pileup erupted before Turn 1. McFarland’s quick reflexes saved him, securing 10th as the caution flew. “Brother, I thought we were done,” he told NASCAR on FOX. “Ilmor, the engine guys just came over here and pulled the valve cover off. Number six valve spring is broken in half. About five laps in, she just turned into a dog. And this #30 always hauls tail, so I’m like, ‘what the hell is going on?’ Got my foot stabbed in there.” 

McFarland’s passion for racing burned bright. He’s eyeing a return to Talladega’s ARCA race this fall, and fans can’t wait to see what’s next.