Florida’s coronavirus stay-at-home order brings changes to Cleetus McFarland’s race
Dubbed the “trailer park version of the Daytona 500,” by YouTube personality Cleetus McFarland, the Freedom 500 race is now happening Thursday night.
The pay-per-view only event, with no spectators, was originally slated for Friday at the Freedom Factory, the new name of Manatee County’s DeSoto Speedway.
McFarland, who has more than two million YouTube subscribers, purchased the track in January, about two years after it was put up for auction. It’s had several owners since the 1970s.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a statewide stay-at-home order on Wednesday afternoon that takes effect at midnight Thursday as the COVID-19 pandemic continues its grip on the world.
Consequently, the Freedom 500 race, still available for purchase at $14.95, begins at 9 p.m. The broadcast starts at 7 p.m. The race features 21 drivers and 100 laps.
McFarland, born Garrett Mitchell in Nebraska, told the Herald last week that the participating drivers, which numbered 22 at the time, wouold receive health screenings. Anyone feeling sick would be told to stay home.
“The world’s in a bad place right now,” said McFarland in a phone interview with the Herald last week. “I think a lot of people are cooped up and don’t have anything fun to look forward to, so we’re hoping the Freedom 500 can let people stay in their homes, not have to worry about being in contact with other people and they can enjoy the show. Hopefully, it gives something positive in all this sea of negativity.”
