Cleetus McFarland is a famous online personality known for his high-octane car videos, bold racing stunts, and quirky redneck character. While most recognize the name Cleetus McFarland, that is actually a stage name. His real name is Lawrence Garrett Mitchell, although he typically goes by Garrett Mitchell professionally. Understanding the dual identity behind the name Cleetus McFarland offers insight into how Lawrence crafted an online persona that resonates with millions of motorsport and YouTube fans around the globe.
Legal Identity and Early Background
Lawrence Garrett Mitchell was born on April 5, 1995 in Omaha, Nebraska. His legal name is recorded on official sources and biographies. However, he prefers to use Garrett Mitchell in day-to-day life and in his racing career, and often introduces himself simply as Garrett. As his Wikipedia biography notes, Lawrence Garrett Mitchell known professionally as Cleetus McFarland.
Choosing a Professional Name
The name ‘Cleetus McFarland’ originated in 2015 as a comedic character created during a drag event at Rocky Mountain Drag Week. The persona quickly gained traction, and Mitchell adopted Cleetus as his brand name for YouTube and social media content. His early viral video under that name helped define his image and led to his full-time career as ‘Cleetus’.
Cleetus McFarland: The Persona
Cleetus is more than a pseudonym it’s a performance identity featuring a stereotypical redneck accent, wild stunts, and patriotic flair. He built this character into a recognizable brand that millions trust for automotive content. As one profile explains, Cleetus McFarland, that’s who that’s not even his real name Lawrence (Larry) Garrett Mitchell.
Viral Origins and Brand Growth
According to media reports, Cleetus McFarland started as a joke but became a serious career. A video of that persona gained over a million views in less than a day and cemented the Cleetus identity. From there, Mitchell built his own channel and brand separate from his earlier involvement with 1320Video.
Public Reception of His Real Name
Online communities have discussed Mitchell’s real name, often sharing humorous takes. On Reddit, one fan pointed out:
>So his full name is: Lawrence Larry Garrett Cleetus McFarland Mitchell.
Other fans note that although his legal first name is Lawrence or Larry, he prefers Garrett, with Cleetus just being a stage persona. One user remarked: He prefers to go by his middle name.
Racing Career Under Both Names
As Garrett Mitchell, he competes in motorsports such as the ARCA Menards Series and Stadium Super Trucks. In official racing listings he is often listed as Garrett Mitchell. Yet on his YouTube channel, social media, and event branding, he consistently goes by Cleetus McFarland.
Motorsports Highlights
- Debuted in Stadium Super Trucks in 2022, driving the No. 1776 truck and achieving a podium finish at Bristol Motor Speedway.
- Competed in ARCA Menards Series events in 2025, driving the No. 30 Ford for Rette Jones Racing under the name Garrett Mitchell.
Business Ventures and Personal Investments
Under the Cleetus brand, Mitchell has expanded into racetrack ownership and aviation investments. In 2020, he purchased and relaunched DeSoto Speedway in Florida as Freedom Factory. He also acquired a small airport in Myakka City for $3.5 million in 2024, making headlines when he revealed he used nearly all his savings to secure it.
- Facilities host large-scale Cleetus and Cars events.
- Pursues a multi-platform presence combining racing, content, merchandise, and experiential events.
Why the Dual Name Matters
The distinction between Garrett Mitchell (legal/racing identity) and Cleetus McFarland (public/content identity) shows how personal branding can diverge from legal identity. For media and motorsport purposes, using his real name grants credibility. Yet for entertainment and YouTube audiences, Cleetus McFarland is the persona that drives views and fan engagement.
Strategic Branding
Cleetus McFarland is built to entertain, while Garrett Mitchell handles structured competition and business dealings. This dual identity offers flexibility: a structured credibility in official racing and a sensational character for content creation.
The real name of the well-known YouTube and racing star known as Cleetus McFarland is Lawrence Garrett Mitchell. He primarily uses his middle name Garrett in personal and professional settings. The name Cleetus McFarland began as a humorous alias but evolved into a central identity in auto influencer culture. Whether appearing in a stadium super truck or posting burnout challenges online, the two identities support each other Cleetus for entertainment value and Garrett for official competition credibility. Understanding this distinction clarifies how Mitchell has successfully built a dual career as a respected racer and a bold automotive brand.
: