Love or loathe the Cleetus character, that’s on you. But never, ever accuse the tall, lanky blonde dude that runs the show of not being all-in on automotive and motorsports action. We’ve enjoyed watching him come up from a sidekick character on 1320Video’s channel into his own, the man who has made throwaway Corvettes legendary, a man who has taken on Summernats and came out looking heroic as hell, even when be blew the engine on the first go-around. He’s run his own racing events for years now and now…he’s finally gone and done it. He bought himself a track. An entire track, at that. And he’s calling it the “Freedom Factory.”
So here’s the story: in early 2017, the owner of Desoto Speedway in East Manatee, Florida was killed in what could best be described as a freak accident during a sprint car race. Within a year, the speedway, which has been opened since the early 1970s, was put up for auction. It’s changed owners a couple of times but it hasn’t seen much use since that fateful day. Weeds have grown up, rust has encroached. And when it was going to change hands again, McFarland and crew bucked up and put the money down to purchase the 63-acre lot to have as their very own playground.
They won’t admit the price, only saying that they went all-in. They have one event planned already, the “Cleetus and Cars Grand Championship” that will have an Aussie-rules burnout pit as part of the attraction, with more details to follow on. But there’s work to be done…cleaning, weeding, some asphalt work, and some other issues need to be addressed. Such is the way of buying into a track that’s been quiet for a couple of years. But that silence is about to be shattered. And we can’t wait to see what all is about to go down in Florida.
Got to give Cleetus credit for something many guys would love to own if they had the money.
Well I’ll tell ya what. If this goof ball is making enough money off You Tube ,and the events he puts on. More power to him. And if he is going to run a track. Even better.He would be a great promoter . He does it for himself real good. Glad to see a young guy with great new ideas be able to pull this off. He still needs to learn how to speed shift!!.
Did he buy the drag strip right next to it also?