Cleetus McFarland was back in action in the ARCA Menards Series on Friday, and it proved to be a fascinating day for the YouTube sensation at Michigan.
Impressively, in qualifying ahead of the race, Cleetus earned himself his first ARCA pole award, setting the fastest lap time in his No. 30 Rette Jones Racing Ford ahead of Jake Bollman.
When it came to the race, though, Cleetus was not able to convert that first pole into his first victory, ultimately coming home in 12th position in what was a massively rain-shortened event.
Gio Ruggiero ultimately ran out as the winner in the No. 18 Toyota, with Jake Bollman and Gavan Boschele finishing in second and third, respectively.
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Where did Cleetus McFarland finish in ARCA at Michigan?
Here are the full results from Friday's race.
| Pos | Driver | Car |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Giovanni Ruggiero | No. 18 Toyota |
| 2 | Jake Bollman | No. 20 Toyota |
| 3 | Gavan Boschele | No. 25 Toyota |
| 4 | Connor Mosack | No. 28 Chevrolet |
| 5 | Lanie Buice | No. 77 Chevrolet |
| 6 | Thomas Annunziata | No. 70 Toyota |
| 7 | Isabella Robusto | No. 55 Toyota |
| 8 | Will Kimmel | No. 69 Ford |
| 9 | Wesley Slimp | No. 15 Toyota |
| 10 | George Siciliano | No. 0 Ford |
| 11 | Kyle Steckly | No. 2 Toyota |
| 12 | Ryan Vargas | No. 91 Ford |
| 13 | Dystany Spurlock | No. 66 Chevrolet |
| 14 | Garrett Mitchell (Cleetus McFarland) | No. 30 Ford |
| 15 | Andy Jankowiak | No. 71 Toyota |
| 16 | Michael Maples | No. 99 Chevrolet |
| 17 | Jeff MacZink | No. 65 Toyota |
| 18 | Takuma Koga | No. 12 Toyota |
| 19 | Daniel Dye | No. 24 Chevrolet |
| 20 | Con Nicolopoulos | No. 06 Chevrolet |
| 21 | Alex Clubb | No. 03 Ford |
| 22 | Morgen Baird | No. 19 Chevrolet |
| 23 | Jason Kitzmiller | No. 97 Chevrolet |
| 24 | Jeff Maconi | No. 86 Ford |
| 25 | Bobby Earnhardt | No. 89 Chevrolet |
| 26 | Matt Kemp | No. 11 Chevrolet |
| 27 | Dustin Hillenburg | No. 10 Ford |
| 28 | Nick White | No. 22 Chevrolet |
| 29 | Brad Smith | No. 48 Ford |
| 30 | Charles Weslowski | No. 32 Chevrolet |
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Cleetus McFarland reaction
Speaking post-race at Michigan, Cleetus offered his perspective on his day out on track, explaining some of the issues he had encountered.
“Well, I went out there with the best hot rod on the track, obviously, as you know, pole award, then I tore it up,” Cleetus told FOX Sports live on air.
“I was tight, and it wouldn’t turn left, and inevitably, I hit the wall. That jacked it up even worse. It just got all that crap in the wheels and things vibrating. I got this much wheel in it and this much pedal in it, and I just can't do anything.
“It was really frustrating, especially starting off on the pole, you know? It's just, you only go backwards, and it doesn't feel good when cars are passing you, but nothing I could do.”
Cleetus hits the track at Michigan once again on Saturday, set to be driving the No. 4 for Niece Motorsports in this weekend’s Truck Series event. Remarkably, he will also serve as the Grand Marshal for Saturday's race.
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