Cleetus McFarland is coming to Super Late Model racing and Berlin Raceway in Michigan is getting a double dose of one of the biggest personalities in car culture as a result.
Garrett Mitchell, who uses the aforementioned screen name, will compete in the prestigious Battle at Berlin on August 12 and the debut event of the ‘Cleetus McFarland’s Late Model Series,’ on August 15.
The former pays $40,000-to-win and the latter pays another $20,000-to-win for those who stick around the Marne, Michigan bullring. Both races will utilize the UARA National rule book and procedures.
Wherever ‘Cleetus’ goes, crowds follow and it stands to be a big deal for Super Late Model racing and this iconic venue.
NASCAR Cup Series drivers Erik Jones and Carson Hocevar claim Berlin as their home tracks and will be competing in the Battle at Berlin. It’s a huge deal for a track they have put a lot of time and investment into.
“Yeah, I think that’s great,” Erik Jones. “For him and what he’s been doing with the short track world and bringing people out, I know what they’re expecting up at Berlin as far as the crowd, and it’s going to be pretty astronomical and it’s neat to see.
“I think it’s not only neat to see at a place like Berlin, which obviously is close to me and means a lot to me, but everywhere around the country and the places that he’s brought some energy.”
Jones is referring to the travelling Crown Vic series of events he puts on, which will coincide with future Late Model starts. ‘Cleetus’ purchased the Port City Race Car as part of his continued journey in NASCAR as a means to work on his race craft.
At the same time, he is a promoter and these are all content opportunities.
“I’m not sure the name of his event, but the show that he brings is pretty cool,” Jones said. “And so I’m excited for him. I think again, it’s great just for the tracks and the attention he brings to it and maybe getting people that would have never went to a place like Berlin to say, ‘Hey, he’s coming out. I know him. I watch him to go out and see the track.’ I think that’s awesome.”
Hocevar is a personal friend of ‘Cleetus’ and has traveled to many of his events at Freedom Factory in Bradenton, Florida — the former Desoto Speedway.
“It’s really big for Berlin,” Hocevar said. “Actually, I don’t know if it’s as big for that place as much as it is big for Super Late Model racing in general. This adds a degree of healthiness to this kind of racing.”
There’s just one problem.
“I’m actual pissed at him,” Hocevar said. “He made that a Saturday show and I’m racing that night in the Cup car. I could have made it otherwise … asshole.”
He said that with a laugh.
“This is going to be really good,” he said. “They are going to pack that place out more than they did for Money in the Bank and it’s so big for that kind of racing.”
Matt Weaver is the owner and founder of Short Track Scene. Weaver grew up in the sport, having raced himself before becoming a reporter in college at the University of South Alabama. He also has extensive experience covering NASCAR, IndyCar and Dirt Sprint Cars.
