Key Takeaways at a Glance

• Team: Cleetus McFarland competes in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with Legacy Motor Club, piloting the No. 97 entry.
• 2026 Status: He is transitioning from part-time to a more ambitious campaign, with speculation building around a potential full Truck Series season.
• Driver Identity: "Larsson" is his official NASCAR name; real name is Carl Ross. He is one of the most-followed automotive personalities in America.
• Sponsor Landscape: Major sponsor discussions are ongoing for 2026, with core partners likely carrying over and new deals in play.
• Track Strengths: Short tracks, superspeedways, andovals have historically been his strongest suits; road courses remain a work in progress.
• Fan Access: His YouTube channel (3M+ subscribers) and social platforms provide exclusive behind-the-scenes content throughout the season.

Who Is Cleetus McFarland?

Born Carl Ross on August 11, 1979, in Washington state, Cleetus McFarland built one of the largest automotive fanbases in the world through his YouTube channel. Before stepping into the NASCAR cockpit, he gained fame for his wildly entertaining project-car builds, burnout demos, and no-holds-barred racing content.

NASCAR took notice. By 2024, Ross had made his mark in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving for Legacy Motor Club — the rebranded operation formerly known as the Joe Gibbs Racing Truck Team. His charisma, work ethic, and raw speed turned him from internet personality into a legitimate racing competitor.

For 2026, the question isn't whether Cleetus belongs on the truck — it's how far can he go?

Cleetus McFarland NASCAR 2026 Season Breakdown

Team & Car Details

• Team: Legacy Motor Club
• Series: NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
• Car Number: No. 97
• Base: Concord, North Carolina (LMC facility)
• Chassis Engineer: TBA (announcements expected early 2026)

Expected Schedule Direction

In previous seasons, Cleetus ran a select schedule — typically 10–14 races focused on tracks where he felt most competitive. For 2026, insiders indicate Legacy Motor Club is evaluating a shift toward a partial-to-full schedule, depending on sponsorship revenue and performance data from late-2025 testing.

Tracks Likely on the 2026 Radar

• Clay ovals: Atlanta, Bristol, Martinsville — Cleetus's personal favorites and historical strongpoints
• Superspeedways: Daytona and Talladega — must-race events given his background in high-speed racing
• Short tracks: Iowa, Kansas, Phoenix — proven turnaround spots for his driving style
• Possible additions: Milwaukee Mile (short track/ova hybrid) and any playoff-eligible short-track stops

Cleetus McFarland 2024 vs. Projected 2026 Comparison

The Fan Playbook: How to Follow Cleetus McFarland in 2026

Phase 1 — Pre-Season Prep (Before Race Weekend)

• [ ] Bookmark the official NASCAR Truck Series schedule and cross-reference with announced Cleetus starts
• [ ] Follow @CleetusMcFarland on X/Twitter and Instagram for real-time schedule drops
• [ ] Subscribe to his YouTube channel and enable notifications for test-day footage
• [ ] Join the Cleetus McFarland fan Discord for community-driven race-weekend watch parties
• [ ] Download the NASCAR app and set up alerts for No. 97 qualifying and stage results

Phase 2 — Race Weekend Execution

• [ ] Tune in 30 minutes before green flag for pre-race driver introductions
• [ ] Watch the qualifying session — Cleetus's stage and overall qualifying position will signal truck setup direction
• [ ] Track stage finishes separately from race结果; Truck Series stage points matter for playoff positioning
• [ ] Capture post-race driver garage interviews — these often contain the best insights into car adjustments
• [ ] Review onboard camera clips shared on social media for lap-by-lap performance analysis