DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Cleetus McFarland had high hopes for his Craftsman Truck Series debut. He did not get to realize them after a hard hit against the SAFER barrier.
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The YouTuber/racer suddenly crashed as the Craftsman Truck Series drivers headed to the start-finish line to complete Lap 5 at Daytona International Speedway. He lost control in the tri-oval, attempted to correct, and then went for a slide. He ultimately slammed hard into the inside SAFER barrier.
The No. 4 Black Rifle Coffee Chevrolet Silverado then went for a trip through the grass. It came to a rest as McFarland lowered his window and prepared to climb from the ruined truck.
Another look at what happened to Cleetus McFarland. pic.twitter.com/qd50NLAJhH
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 14, 2026
"I'm all good. That was a good knock, but I'm all good. (Truck has) gotta be f——-," McFarland said over the radio after the hard hit. His words proved correct as he was unable to continue in the race.
McFarland headed to the infield care center after the hard hit. The medical team evaluated and released him. It was a humbling experience for the Truck Series rookie.
"(Carson Hocevar) told me that if I caused the wreck, then I usually will not be in the wreck," McFarland said after exiting the infield care center. "But in this particular instance, I caused the wreck and was the only one to wreck."
He continued to explain what caused his slide and the hit. He also called himself an "idiot" for the way he responded to getting loose.
"I was little tight, and I was just trying not to hit the guy on the outside," he said. He tried to correct to the left so that he wouldn't wreck 30 trucks, but he put himself on the trajectory toward the inside wall.
McFarland will have another opportunity to compete at Daytona International Speedway. He will race in the Saturday afternoon ARCA Menards Series race (noon ET on Fox). He will start fifth in the No. 30 Ford.
