Cleetus McFarland's net worth and biography: All about the YouTuber

Cleetus McFarland is a popular YouTuber known for his car content and racing events. He has built a strong fan base with his fun personality and love for motorsports. Cleetus McFarland’s net worth and biography show how he turned a passion for cars into a successful career.

Key takeaways

• Cleetus McFarland’s real name is Garrett Mitchell.
• He began his channel in 2009 and gained fame in 2015 when the “Cleetus McFarland” persona went viral.
• The Nebraska-born YouTuber married Madison Lutz in 2021, and they live near his multi-million-dollar racetrack.
• He is worth around $1.7 million.
• McFarland bought the Freedom Factory in 2019 for $2.2M, turning it into a motorsports goldmine.

Profile summary

Cleetus McFarland's net worth and biography

Garrett Mitchell, widely known by his YouTube persona Cleetus McFarland, is an American automotive content creator and part-time racing driver. Born on April 5, 1995, in Omaha, Nebraska, Cleetus McFarland’s age is 30 as of 2025. He launched his YouTube identity in 2009 while working as a social media manager for 1320Video.

As of 2025, Cleetus McFarland’s net worth is estimated to be $1.7 million. His earnings come from YouTube, selling merchandise, sponsorships, and smart business ventures.

How does Cleetus McFarland make his money?

Cleetus makes most of his money from his YouTube channel, which has millions of subscribers and billions of views. His videos on car builds, racing, and events bring in ad revenue, sponsorships, and brand deals.

He also earns a large income from merchandise sales, with his branded apparel and accessories being popular among fans. Limited drops tied to events often sell out quickly.

In 2020, he bought the Freedom Factory racetrack in Florida, where he hosts big events like Cleetus & Cars. These shows generate money through ticket sales, livestream pay-per-view, and sponsorships.

Alongside this, Cleetus benefits from automotive partnerships, sponsorships, and racing competitions, which boost his profile and income. Together, these ventures have helped him build a multimillion-dollar fortune.

Cleetus McFarland’s YouTube income

His channel has over 4.22 million subscribers and 1.76 billion views, bringing in around $20,800 per month, according to YouTubers.me. Events like the Freedom 500 and his racetrack also add to his income.

When did Cleetus McFarland start his YouTube channel?

McFarland launched his YouTube channel on 28 January 2009 in Omaha, Nebraska. The channel originally featured videos about RC planes and boats.

He later secured a role as a social media manager for 1320Video, a car media company. Eventually, he shifted his focus entirely to his own channel.

The name "Cleetus" emerged in July 2015 at Rocky Mountain Drag Week when a friend recorded him joking around in a spoof video that went viral. In an interview on The Dale Jr. Download podcast, he credited 1320Video’s Kyle Loftis, saying,

The guy I owe my entire career to… he is the one who called me Cleetus in a video.

McFarland’s channel soared with wild builds like Leroy, a record-breaking Corvette C5, and Mullet, a winning El Camino racer. Today, he is a prominent figure in the automotive world.

What was Cleetus McFarland's job before YouTube?

Before becoming a full-time YouTuber, Cleetus McFarland (Garrett Mitchell) worked as a social media manager for 1320Video, a motorsports media company. While there, he handled social content and also appeared in videos.

How much does Cleetus McFarland make per 1000 views?

On YouTube, earnings per 1,000 views (CPM/RPM) can vary a lot depending on ads, audience, and season. For Cleetus McFarland’s channel, which is in the automotive niche, the average RPM (revenue per 1,000 views) is typically $2 to $5.

Cleetus McFarland’s Freedom Factory

In December 2019, Cleetus spent $2.2 million to buy the rundown DeSoto Speedway in Manatee County, Florida. He renamed it the Freedom Factory and told Dale Jr..

I sold everything I had… went to that closing with every dollar I had.

Just months later, in early 2020, he hosted the first Freedom 500. The pay-per-view race featured 20 Crown Victoria cars he bought for $900 each.

According to the podcast, COVID had just hit, and he was broke—his bank account even fell $90,000 into the red after an IRS payment bounced. He recalled the moment,

I run over to Allen, I go, ‘Did the stream stay up?’… ‘Garrett, there were 75,000 people on the stream,’ and I was just… mind blown that we had just made a monumental amount of money and successfully, like, saved what I thought was all crashing down in that moment.

With 75,000 viewers watching live, the earnings from that stream got him back on track and turned the venue into a goldmine. Now, the Freedom Factory is a thriving hub for his Cleetus and Cars events, the Freedom 500, and local races.

How much did Cleetus pay for his airport?

Cleetus purchased a 50-acre private airport in Myakka City, Manatee County, Florida, in November 2023. The acquisition cost him $3.5 million—a significant investment he described as “nearly every dollar I have”

Cleetus McFarland’s racing career and NASCAR

Cleetus made his Stadium Super Trucks debut in 2022 at Long Beach, leading the second race until a last-lap spin cost him victory. He later grabbed a podium at his Bristol 1000 event.

In drag racing, he won at the 2022 Haltech World Cup Finals with Mullet. A year later, he claimed victory in the Grannas Racing Stick Shift class.

In 2025, he launched his NASCAR career in the ARCA Menards Series, driving the No. 30 Ford for Rette Jones Racing at Daytona. He was involved in a crash and finished 30th, but reflected,

I was inexperienced… next time I will have that experience.

McFarland is gearing up for Talladega next. He is eager to take on those massive superspeedways.

Who is Cleetus McFarland’s wife?

The YouTuber is married to Madison Mitchell, often referred to as Madi Mitchell. The couple tied the knot in December 2021. Together, they have two children: a son named Rip (born November 2022) and a daughter named Ella (born March 2024).

Cleetus McFarland’s family live in Bradenton, Florida, where he also works. Speaking on the podcast, he acknowledged her wife's support, saying,

I have taken my stuff down to zero twice, and she was cool.

How old is Cleetus McFarland's wife?

In a post, Madison is tagged with a caption that reads;

"Happy 30th birthday to the most amazing husband & Dada!".

The post doesn’t specify dates, so the year isn't clear.

How much does Cleetus McFarland pay James?

There’s no official, publicly confirmed figure for how much Cleetus McFarland (Garrett Mitchell) pays James, a key member of his on-camera team and shop lead. However, several community insights and speculations offer a useful estimate.

Furthermore, a Redditor referencing Salary.com data suggests:

“As of March 2025, the average annual salary for employees at Cleetus McFarland in the United States is $83,203… salaries… range from $73,281 to $93,881 annually.”

How much does Cleetus McFarland's crew make?

As of March 2025, the average annual salary for employees at Cleetus McFarland in the United States is $83,203, according to Salary.com.

How tall is Cleetus McFarland?

The American is 6 feet 6 inches (198 cm) tall.

How old is Cleetus McFarland?

He was born on April 5, 1995, making him 30years old as of 2025.

Where does Cleetus McFarland live?

The YouTuber lives and works in Bradenton, Florida, with upcoming development plans at a nearby airport in Myakka City, ensuring his residence and business activities remain firmly rooted in Southwest Florida.

How many businesses does Cleetus McFarland own?

Cleetus owns several businesses tied to his automotive brand. These include the Freedom Factory racetrack, a 50-acre private airport in Florida, a merchandise line, and a fabrication shop for building cars.

He also runs two manufacturing companies producing race car parts and lightweight brakes, along with a streaming and events platform (FRDM+). In total, he operates at least six businesses, all fueling his motorsports empire.

Looking at Cleetus McFarland’s net worth and biography, it is clear that he built success through passion and hard work. He went from car fan to one of the biggest names in automotive entertainment. His journey inspires both car lovers and content creators.

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Source: Briefly News