Garrett Mitchell, widely known as Cleetus McFarland on YouTube, had only known NASCAR legend Greg Biffle for about a year and a half. Despite the short time, they formed a strong friendship and had plans to spend the day together when the tragic plane crash occurred. Greg Biffle, along with his wife Kristinia, son Ryder, and daughter Emma, were among the seven victims who died in the accident that happened as they were returning to Statesville, North Carolina. They had originally been heading to Florida to visit Mitchell. Mitchell was among the first to confirm the heartbreaking news of Biffle and his family’s deaths.
Biffle and Mitchell first connected through Biffle’s heroic rescue efforts during Hurricane Helene’s flooding in western North Carolina. Over time, they collaborated on many videos and Biffle served as a key mentor for Mitchell as he pursued his stock car racing career, helping him through his debut at Daytona and subsequent races at Talladega, Charlotte, and Bristol during the 2025 season.
On Cleetus McFarland’s YouTube channel, Mitchell released a heartfelt 41-minute tribute video titled “The One and Only Greg Biffle,” recalling the past year they spent together filled with shared adventures, humor, and a deep bond over family, helicopters, and Crown Victoria cars. Mitchell described Biffle as a mentor who guided him through his racing journey and expressed profound grief over the loss. Mitchell also announced that future videos would end with a tribute message honoring Biffle.
In a pinned comment under the video, Mitchell expressed his sorrow and appreciation for having Biffle as a close friend and mentor, praising his wife Kristinia as wonderful and acknowledging the immense loss of the Biffle family. The video has garnered over a million views in under a day and serves as a touching homage to the late NASCAR star.
Fan Take: This tragic loss strikes at the heart of the NASCAR community, underscoring the close-knit relationships that define the sport. Greg Biffle’s mentorship of emerging talents like Cleetus McFarland highlights the enduring legacy Biffle leaves behind, inspiring both current and future generations in racing.
