Austin Green Claims First ARCA Victory at Charlotte Motor Speedway
Charlotte, NC — Austin Green celebrated his inaugural win in the ARCA Menards Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway, triumphing in a race marked by intense competition and significant moments. The 32-car field saw Green dominate, showcasing strategic insights and skillful racing throughout the event.
Garrett Mitchell, popularly known as Cleetus McFarland via his YouTube channel, finished ninth in his third career ARCA start, improving on his prior top-ten finish at Talladega earlier this season. Starting from 11th, Mitchell advanced to seventh position before the first caution, when he opted to stay out. A misstep on the subsequent restart led him to spin his tires, colliding with Isabella Robusto, resulting in a multiple-car pileup.
Mitchell expressed regret post-race, stating, "I blew it… I made a complete rookie maneuver on the restart." He acknowledged the challenges of racing at Charlotte compared to superspeedways, admitting he was "humbled" during the restart.
Despite the incident, he managed to maintain competitive pace, reaching as high as fifth before ultimately finishing ninth, albeit off the lead lap as Green secured his victory.
Mitchell emphasized his desire to learn from the experience, stating, "I feel terrible about it… it sucks to send those guys home." His next scheduled race in the ARCA series is at Bristol Motor Speedway in September.
This race not only marked a pivotal moment for Green but also showcased the intense pressure and learning curve inherent in the ARCA series, especially for new drivers like Mitchell.
