Cleetus McFarland’s Heart-Stopping Near-Miss Steals the Spotlight as Andy Jankowiak Grabs First ARCA Win at Talladega

TALLADEGA, Ala. — In one of the most electric finishes in recent ARCA Menards Series history, YouTube sensation Cleetus McFarland came within inches of scoring his first career victory — only for Andy Jankowiak to steal the show with a daring last-lap outside pass in a three-wide drag race to the checkered flag.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

Jankowiak, driving the No. 73 KLAS Motorsports Toyota, powered past both McFarland and Gus Dean through the tri-oval on the overtime restart to claim his breakthrough first ARCA Menards Series win in the Alabama Manufactured Housing 200 at Talladega Superspeedway on Saturday.

But make no mistake — the story of the day belonged to Cleetus McFarland.

“Probably the most fun I’ve ever had with clothes on.”- Cleetus McFarland https://t.co/Z7CKYO04Px pic.twitter.com/rs01qPb2kb

— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) April 25, 2026

The viral automotive YouTuber and part-time racer turned in the performance of his life, finishing a career-best second and leading laps for the first time in ARCA competition. Running the No. 22 for Venturini Motorsports, McFarland was right in the mix during the frantic final-lap scramble, blocking high for Dean before Jankowiak used the outside lane to slingshot by both cars.

WHAT A FINSH AT ‘DEGA! 🤯

📺 @FS1 pic.twitter.com/SSMgs5MSAg

— ARCA Menards Series (@ARCA_Racing) April 25, 2026

“I think I needed to back up a smidge to get that help that was behind me,” McFarland said afterward, still buzzing from the chaos. “We started beating each other up, and then Andy passed us and got the W. Congratulations to him. What an insane day of racing. That was the greatest race I’ve ever been a part of in my life right there.”

McFarland added that the run gave him a massive confidence boost: “I got a lot of confidence today… We pushed through with the power of Mr. Sam on my hood and almost won it.”

The race lived up to Talladega’s reputation for drafting warfare and last-lap drama. Multiple cautions, including a competition yellow on lap 38, shuffled the field and created opportunities for drivers like Jankowiak, who started 10th and had fallen back early before methodically working his way forward in the draft.

Jankowiak admitted he thought the overtime was going to be two laps to the finish and was still processing the victory in Victory Lane.

“I thought there was one more lap… The radio was super staticky,” he said. “I’m still waiting to wake up here. Everything that got me to ARCA and everything that’s come after with [co-owners] Kevin Lapierre, Andy Seuss and Mike Dayton — there’s never been more of a team effort standing in Victory Lane at Talladega. What an adventure.”

The finish was pure Talladega: three-wide, door-to-door, and decided by mere feet at the stripe. Jankowiak stayed pinned to the throttle through the mayhem and emerged victorious in what he called a full-team effort.

For McFarland, the runner-up result caps a remarkable weekend and instantly becomes one of the biggest crossover stories in recent ARCA history. For Jankowiak, it ends a long wait for that first checkered flag.

One thing is certain: Saturday’s Alabama Manufactured Housing 200 delivered exactly what fans expect from Talladega—unforgettable racing and a moment that will be replayed for years to come.

Final Results