Cleetus McFarland, born Lawrence Garrett Mitchell on April 5, 1995, is an American YouTuber, automotive entrepreneur, and racer.
Known for his high-energy car builds, stunts, and racing events, Cleetus has turned his passion for cars into a thriving business empire.
As of 2025, his net worth is estimated to be around $10 million, a sum he earned through a combination of massive YouTube revenue, merchandise sales, and the ownership of his racetrack and new aviation assets.
Here is the breakdown of his net worth:
| Source | Estimated Annual Income (USD) | Lifetime Contribution (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube Channel | ~$1,500,000 | ~$4,000,000 | Ads, sponsorships, and high CPM from niche automotive content. |
| Merchandise & Apparel Sales | ~$1,200,000 | ~$2,000,000 | Clothing, accessories, event merch |
| Freedom Factory Events | ~$2,500,000 | ~$5,000,000 | Ticket sales, sponsorships, and event revenue from his Florida racetrack. |
| Brand Partnerships & Sponsors | ~$1,000,000 | ~$1,500,000 | Sponsored content and long-term deals with automotive brands. |
| Investments & Ventures | ~$800,000 | ~$2,500,000 | Real estate (including The Compound airstrip), appreciation, and business income. |
| Total Estimated Net Worth | ~$10,000,000 |
Brief Introduction
Cleetus Mcfarland is a well-known car enthusiast, YouTube creator, and motorsport entrepreneur. He turned a passion for fast cars into a full-time brand that attracts millions of fans worldwide.
| Birth Date | April 5, 1995 |
| Age | 30 (as of 2025) |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | YouTuber, Automotive Entrepreneur, Professional Racer |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Education | Attended University of Tampa (not completed) |
| Residence | Bradenton, Florida, USA |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Partner | Madi Mitchell |
| Children | One son (“Little Ripper,” born late 2023) |
| Estimated Net Worth (2025) | $10 Million |
| Social Accounts | YouTube: @CleetusM Instagram: @cleetusmcfarland |
Sources of Income
Cleetus McFarland generates income from multiple streams, which has helped him grow his fortune from YouTube ad revenue to real-world assets like the Freedom Factory racetrack. His diverse business ventures include content creation, event hosting, brand partnerships, and investments.
YouTube Channel – around $1 Million per year
Cleetus McFarland’s YouTube channel, which boasts over 4.5 million subscribers and has generated over 2 billion total views, is one of his primary sources of income. His channel features car build videos, stunts, racing events, and other high-energy automotive content that draws millions of views.
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Annual Income from YouTube Ads & Sponsorships: Estimates of his channel’s gross earnings often exceed $1.5 million annually due to his high CPM from niche automotive content and high fan engagement.
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His videos regularly achieve over 100 million views annually, which brings in ad revenue between $3 to $5 per 1,000 monetized views.
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Cleetus also secures brand partnerships, like sponsored integrations and product placements, adding a substantial amount to his income.
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His fanbase loyalty translates to high ad engagement, allowing him to negotiate lucrative sponsorship deals.
Merchandise and Apparel Sales – around $1.2 Million per year
As his YouTube channel grew, Cleetus expanded his brand into merchandise sales, offering a variety of apparel and accessories.
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Annual Merchandise Income: ~$1.2 million
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Items such as T-shirts, hats, and hoodies featuring Cleetus’s brand and logos are sold online and at events.
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Limited-edition drops and collaborations with automotive brands and influencers boost revenue, as they cater to the passionate fanbase he’s built.
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Merchandise sales are often tied to specific events, where live interactions allow for even higher sales. Cleetus’s involvement in promoting his brand through YouTube and at live events ensures these products remain in high demand.
Freedom Factory Events – around $2.5 Million per year
Cleetus owns the Freedom Factory, a racetrack located in Bradenton, Florida, which he purchased for approximately $2.2 million in early 2020.
The track hosts massive, high-profile events like the “Freedom 500” and “LeMullets,” drawing sold-out crowds and generating between $200,000 to $300,000 per event weekend in ticket sales, sponsorships, and merchandise.
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Annual Income from Events: ~$2.5 million
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The track has become a hub for car enthusiasts, attracting both online and in-person audiences.
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Event Revenue: Includes ticket sales, sponsorships, food and beverage sales, and merchandise sold during events.
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High-Profile Events: In 2025, events like the “Cleetus and Cars” meet-up and the Freedom 500 race have continued to draw large crowds.
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Recent Expansion: The Freedom Factory racetrack has recently seen upgrades to improve the viewing experience and accommodate more attendees, allowing for an increase in the number of events hosted annually.
Brand Partnerships and Sponsors – around $1 Million per year
Cleetus works with major automotive companies for brand collaborations, part sponsorships, and video placements. Companies often pay $50,000 to $150,000 per contract depending on audience reach and engagement. By combining sponsored integrations with events and builds, he delivers strong returns for partners.
Brands like Summit Racing, Advanced Fuel Dynamics, and Motion Raceworks contribute to his sponsorship revenue. These long-term deals are vital for cash flow and help fund new projects and vehicle builds for online content.
Investments and Business Ventures – around $0.8 Million per year
In 2024, he purchased a private airstrip in Myakka City, Florida, for about $3.5 million. The new asset, often referred to by fans as “The Compound,” is used for new aviation-related content and specialized events, diversifying his income beyond the racetrack.
Career
Cleetus McFarland’s career started as a hobby and evolved into a multi-faceted business model. His journey from creating fun, grassroots videos to running a successful racetrack has been marked by steady growth, creativity, and entrepreneurship.
YouTube Beginnings and Early Popularity
Cleetus started his YouTube journey in 2009 while attending college in Tampa. His first videos featured street cars and drag races.
In 2015, The “Cleetus McFarland” persona was created when Garrett Mitchell was working as the Social Media Manager for the popular automotive channel 1320Video. This early experience gave him the business and production skills he needed to launch his own successful brand.
By 2017, his channel had hundreds of thousands of subscribers. He began expanding into car builds and motorsport projects, carefully using the profits to upgrade his equipment and vehicles. His relatability and comedic style drove steady fan engagement across all uploads.
Major Growth and Brand Building
From 2018 to 2020, Cleetus turned the online channel into a full-scale brand. He launched “Cleetus and Cars” events that combined car shows, burnout contests, and merchandise booths. These gatherings became a centerpiece of his operation and generated valuable media content.
He consistently used these events to introduce new business products and partnerships. This period also saw the addition of new team members and expanded workshop operations that supported faster build cycles and more frequent publishing schedules.
Freedom Factory Purchase and Expansion
In early 2020, Cleetus bought the former Desoto Speedway, then transformed the previously abandoned property into the Freedom Factory motorsport landmark.
Freedom Factory events and include the “Freedom 500” and “LeMullets,” drew wide audiences online and in person. The success of these races marked a major turning point where his brand moved from digital entertainment to full business integration in motorsports.
Business Diversification After 2021
In 2021, Cleetus began to diversify his business further, which incorporated live streaming of events, additional merchandise drops, and collaborations with other influencers in the automotive space.
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By 2023, Cleetus’s races and events had reached sold-out crowds, and his YouTube channel reached millions of loyal subscribers.
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In 2024, he purchased a private airstrip in Myakka City, Florida, for about $3.5 million.
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This new venture opens opportunities for further event production, creating a hub for both content creation and motorsport entertainment.
Personality and Style
Cleetus is famous for his mix of high-performance car builds, stunts, and humorous personality. His videos are a blend of entertainment, humor, and automotive passion, drawing in viewers from all walks of life.
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Personality & Style: His down-to-earth approach and relaxed, comedic style make him a relatable figure for his audience. Fans are drawn to his patriotism and hands-on approach to automotive culture.
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Unique Automotive Builds: Cleetus is also known for his extreme vehicle projects such as Leroy the Corvette, Ruby, and Mullet. His builds combine professional engineering with personal creativity, which resonates deeply with car culture fans.
Freedom Factory & Events
The Freedom Factory racetrack has become a central hub for Cleetus’s business model. Hosting major races and gatherings, the track continues to grow, making it a key income generator.
With the launch of events like the Freedom 500 and LeMullets, Cleetus’s racetrack and associated events have become a staple in the automotive community.
Personal Life
Cleetus Mcfarland grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, with a supportive family who encouraged his love of engines and racing from an early age. His father worked in a mechanical trade and help him learn hands-on car repair skills in his teens, which later shaped his online career pace.
Cleetus McFarland married his wife, Madi Mitchell, in December 2021. The couple welcomed their first child, a son, in late 2023, whom the family refers to publicly by the affectionate nickname “Little Ripper.”
Cleetus Mcfarland Now
As of 2025, Cleetus is expanding his career into professional motorsports. He has actively competed in multiple races in the ARCA Menards Series (e.g., at Daytona and Talladega). This move establishes him as a legitimate racer, and opens doors for professional endorsements and higher-tier media deals.
FAQs
How did Cleetus McFarland build his fortune?
Cleetus made his fortune through YouTube ad revenue, merchandise sales, live racing events, and brand partnerships. His racetrack, Freedom Factory, has become a major business asset.
What is the Freedom Factory?
The Freedom Factory is Cleetus McFarland’s racetrack in Bradenton, Florida. It hosts major automotive events like Freedom 500 and LeMullets, generating significant income.
What major business move did he make in 2024?
He purchased a private airstrip in Myakka City, Florida, expanding his brand into aviation and content production.
What cars does Cleetus Mcfarland own?
He owns several high-performance vehicles and include “Leroy” the twin-turbo Corvette, “Ruby,” “Mullet,” and other custom drag and drift cars.
