Sky View Motor Sports Desk: Racing News Highlights

By Roy J. Akers- www.skyviewsports.net

Garrett Mitchell, a.k.a. Cleetus McFarland, Readies Intermediate Track Debutat Charlotte Motor Speedway

Garrett Mitchell — widely known to his millions of YouTube followers as Cleetus McFarland — will trade the camera for a steering wheel once again as he gears up for his third career ARCA Menards Series start in Friday night’s General Tire 150 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. McFarland’s return to ARCA competition helps launch the Memorial Day Weekend slate of racing at the high-speed 1.5-mile oval. While his previous starts came on the mammoth superspeedways of Daytona and Talladega, Charlotte presents a new and unique challenge — one that Mitchell is eager to tackle as he looks to make a strong impression under the lights. “Every time I strap into one of these ARCA cars, I’m learning something new,” said McFarland. “Charlotte is a whole different ballgame compared to Daytona or Talladega — there’s less margin for error, and you really have to be on it every lap. “I realize I have a lot to learn in a short amount of time on Friday, but I’m here to represent myself, my team, and partners well, and I’m pumped to get out there and see what we can do.” In his most recent ARCA Menards Series appearance at Talladega Superspeedway, McFarland and his Mooresville, N.C.-based team battled through early engine troubles to earn a resilient top-10 finish. “Man, just finishing inside the top-10 at Talladega felt like a win for us,”

● Junior Journey: AM Racing will embark on its junior year journey in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2025 with driver Harrison Burton for the entire 33-race tour, continuing with Saturday afternoon’s running of the BetMGM 300 at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway. ● Future Focused: In September 2024, AM Racing announced that NASCAR Cup Series winner Harrison Burton would join the family-owned operation to pilot the team’s No. 25 Ford Mustang, beginning with the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series season-opener from Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway on February 15, 2025. Burton, a native of Huntersville, N.C., has been a staple in the NASCAR Cup Series for the past three seasons but will embrace a return to the NASCAR Xfinity Series and continue his relationship as a driver of the Ford blue oval. Burton, 24, arrives on the scene at AM Racing after a 108-race stint driving for the historic Wood Brothers Racing team. ● Dead On Focused: In January, AM Racing announced a new partnership for the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series season, which continues with the BetMGM 300. As part of the agreement, Dead On Tools will serve as the co-primary partner for the team’s rebranded No. 25 Ford Mustang. Dead On Tools: A collision of serious tool using professionals and a lifestyle lived out loud. Dead On Tools sets the highest standard for precision tools and work gear products in the industry today, representing innovation and quality that was born from actual users in the trade. Dead On Tools is headquartered in the Midwest and distributes professional tools and work gear products throughout North America.  Stay tuned to both the AM Racing and Harrison Burton social platforms for opportunities to win Dead On Tools swag and more!

Young’s Motorsports

The 13th race of the NASCAR Xfinity Series season presents an opportunity for the Hypersteel™ brand to join the team’s mission of securing a fourth consecutive top-15 finish — a stretch highlighted by a season-best sixth-place run at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway last month. Hypersteel™ cold-formed buildings are engineered for speed, offering the hyper-fast design and production turnaround that sets them apart from traditional pre-engineered metal buildings. They deliver all the benefits of steel while minimizing time, complexity, and installation effort. With a streamlined design and build process, Hypersteel™ structures are easier to install than rigid frame buildings of similar design, often without the need for large crews, heavy equipment, or specialized labor. “Showcasing Hypersteel cold-formed buildings on the No. 42 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet helps us share an exciting story about how contractors and consumers alike can get customized metal buildings faster and easier,” says Heather Hollis, vice president of marketing at Cornerstone Building Brands. “Our partnership with Anthony Alfredo and the team symbolizes the speed and efficiency of Hypersteel buildings and the hyper-fast process of designing and erecting a metal building.” Alfredo, 26, is equally excited to welcome the Hypersteel™ brand as the fifth different partner to support the team’s 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series campaign. “I’m really excited to welcome Cornerstone Building Brands and the Hypersteel™ brand to our team this weekend,” said Alfredo. “Just like their buildings, our team is all about speed and efficiency — and that mindset has helped us build some strong momentum lately. “We’re looking to keep that going at Charlotte and give the Hypersteel™ brand a great first race with us.”Saturday’s race at Charlotte Motor Speedway will mark Alfredo’s fourth career NASCAR Xfinity Series start at the iconic 1.5-mile oval. He returns to “America’s Home for Racing” on the strength of a track-best 16th-place finish, earned last May after starting 17th.

Young’s Motorsports

 Young’s Motorsports’ NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series History: Since entering the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series in 2012, the Mooresville, N.C., – based organization has logged 520 starts from 71 drivers, resulting in solid performances that include two victories (Talladega Superspeedway 2019 and 2021), seven top-five finishes and 33 top-10 finishes, with an average starting position of 23.2 and an average finishing position of 22.2.

● Follow on Social Media: For more on Stefan Parsons, please visit stefanparsons.com, like him on Facebook (Stefan Parsons Racing) and follow him on Instagram (@stefan_parsons) and Twitter (@StefanParsons98).

For more on Young’s Motorsports, please visit YoungsMotorsports.com, like them on Facebook (Young’s Motorsports), and follow them on Instagram (@youngsmotorsports) and X |Twitter (@youngsmtrsports).

Stefan Parsons Pre-Race Quotes:

On Charlotte Motor Speedway: “It’s always great to race at your home track. I started racing at Charlotte in Bandoleros and always dreamed of being able to race on the “big track.”

“I’m excited to race Friday night with our No. 02 Springrates | Annett Bus Lines Chevrolet Silverado.”

Instead, it’s been a mix of frustration and flashes of promise. But with a doubleheader weekend ahead at Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway and Newport (Tenn.) Raceway, the Mooresville, N.C.-based team, is focused on reversing course and getting back in contention. “We definitely haven’t had the start to the season we were hoping for,” said Steckly. “It’s been frustrating at times, but we’ve also seen glimpses of what this team is capable of. “We’re heading into Hickory and Newport with a clean slate mentality. These back-to-back races give us a real chance to build momentum, execute, and show what Rette Jones Racing is made of.” To help steer the team back into contention, Rette Jones Racing has utilized the recent downtime to compete in other Late Model events while also committing to full days of testing, in search of the consistency and comfort that could help propel Steckly back to Victory Lane. “We’ve been using every bit of the break to regroup and refocus,” Steckly added. “Whether it’s racing other Late Model shows or putting in full test days, we’re doing everything we can to find the feel and speed we need. “It’s all about getting back to that level where we’re confident every time we unload — and I really believe we’re getting close.”