With the 2026 ARCA pre-season practice at Daytona just around the corner, YouTuber and NASCAR enthusiast Garrett Mitchell, better known as Cleetus McFarland, weighed in on his late friend Greg Biffle’s role behind his upcoming Daytona 500 quest. It appears that Biffle, a former NASCAR National Series champion and a 19-time NASCAR Cup Series race winner, is the reason why McFarland’s NASCAR endeavors emerged in the first place.
This time around, McFarland’s No. 30 Rette Jones Racing car will bear the words “Be Like Biff” on its rear bumper. For many, it is a slogan to remember the late NASCAR legend, but for McFarland, it’s his reason to compete in the 68th running of the annual crown jewel event.
“Greg had a lot of impact on me and my personality, all the way to the way I treat my family, and a lot of my life,” McFarland said during a recent interview with SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. “I absolutely would not be here today without Greg Biffle.”
“The whole NASCAR idea came up, I don’t think it would’ve ever happened without his guidance, his mentorship, his connections that got me in with the right people, got me a car, taught me the necessary tools to actually do it without looking like a complete idiot,” he added.
On December 18, 2025, the NASCAR community suffered an irreparable loss through the death of Greg Biffle. His plane crashed near Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina, as he was traveling to spend the afternoon with McFarland in Brandelton, Florida. The crash also claimed the lives of Biffle’s wife, Christina, and their two kids, Emma and Ryder.
So, instead of having his friend and mentor by his side, Cleetus McFarland will complete his Daytona 500 mission all by himself. He will also run five ARCA Menards Series races with Rette Jones Racing in 2026, which will be announced at a later date.
Mooresville Prepares To Pay Homage to NASCAR Legend Greg Biffle
The city of Mooresville will remember Greg Biffle through a tribute scheduled for coming Friday, January 16. As reported by The Charlotte Observer, the memorial service will be held on Main Street from 3 to 5 p.m.
Biffle’s life and legacy will be honored during the two-hour-long “Burnout for Biff” tribute. Cleetus McFarland will be seen performing a special burnout near Biffle’s star on the North Carolina Auto Racing Walk of Fame.
According to a Mooresville news release:
“This tribute celebrates Greg Biffle’s extraordinary racing career and his lasting connection to Mooresville, Race City USA. Greg’s passion for racing was matched only by his generous heart. He lived with intensity, purpose, and a deep love for his family and community.”
Several Greg Biffle’s racing memorabilia will be displayed at the Charles Mack Citizen Center. The event will also highlight the mission and purpose of the American Red Cross and the Lake Norman Humane Society, which Biffle and his family supported.
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