Two popular automotive YouTube personalities are stepping up their racing game in 2027, and Ford fans will have a reason to follow the action. George Siciliano, known online as “Squirrel McNutt,” will compete full-time in the ARCA Menards Series next season behind the wheel of a Ford race car. His team, Rette Jones Racing, fields Ford vehicles across multiple racing divisions, giving viewers a chance to see familiar content creators compete at a higher level of NASCAR’s developmental circuit.

What This Means for Casual Racing Fans

Siciliano has already logged three ARCA starts during the 2026 season, demonstrating that he has genuine competitive experience rather than just online popularity. His best finish came at Michigan, where he placed inside the top 10, and he earned a ninth-place result at Rockingham in East Series competition. These results show he has learned the ropes of serious racing before moving to a full-time schedule.

The ARCA Series sits at the bottom of NASCAR’s competitive ladder, below the Cup Series, the Craftsman Truck Series, and the NASCAR Xfinity Series. This makes it an ideal training ground for drivers working their way up, or in this case, content creators looking to expand their influence into legitimate motorsports competition. Rette Jones Racing has consistently supported both Siciliano and his online collaborator Garrett Mitchell through their racing ventures, building a pipeline between YouTube stardom and professional motorsport.

The Larger Trend of Digital Personalities in Racing

professional racing pit crew action
Photo by BHARAT VISHAWAKARMA

Siciliano’s move reflects a broader pattern of online automotive influencers transitioning into competitive racing. His frequent collaborator, Cleetus McFarland (Garrett Mitchell), is also expanding his racing portfolio for 2027. Mitchell will pilot a Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing in the ARCA Series, meaning both personalities will compete at the national level next season. This dual-track approach demonstrates how the racing industry increasingly overlaps with digital media and content creation.

Mitchell has prior experience with Ford vehicles on the track, having driven a Ford Mustang for the ARCA season opener at Daytona in 2025. However, that appearance ended with controversy when officials placed him on probation for bringing an unauthorized camera into the race car, highlighting the ongoing tension between content creation and traditional racing regulations. Siciliano has maintained a cleaner record, suggesting he understands the boundaries between entertainment content and serious competition.

What This Means for Ford Motorsports

Ford vehicle motorsports competition
Photo by Spencer Davis

Ford’s partnership with Rette Jones Racing continues to bear fruit in the lower racing series. The manufacturer maintains a consistent presence in ARCA competition through teams like Rette Jones, which also fields vehicles in Late Model racing and occasionally competes in NASCAR national series events. Having popular YouTube personalities drive Ford race cars provides the manufacturer with organic marketing exposure to younger, digitally native audiences who might not otherwise follow traditional motorsports coverage.

For shoppers interested in Ford performance vehicles, seeing the Blue Oval represented by content creators they already follow adds a layer of authenticity to the brand’s racing involvement. While ARCA cars bear little resemblance to street-legal Ford models, the association between the brand and competitive motorsport has long driven consumer interest. Those considering Ford’s truck lineup and value propositions might appreciate the company’s continued investment in grassroots racing series.

Looking Ahead to 2027

Mitchell has indicated that additional announcements about his 2027 racing schedule will arrive soon, suggesting that both personalities have more to reveal about their motorsports ambitions. Mitchell specifically mentioned that some planned activities are “pretty close to set in stone” and “unexpected,” hinting that the racing community should expect surprises beyond simple full-time ARCA commitments.

For Ford enthusiasts and racing fans who follow YouTube automotive content, 2027 promises to be an interesting year. Watching popular online personalities compete in legitimate racing series creates a unique narrative that blends digital entertainment with competitive motorsport. Whether Siciliano and Mitchell succeed or struggle in full-time ARCA competition, their presence will undoubtedly attract viewers who might never have tuned into the series otherwise, potentially expanding the audience for Ford’s racing programs and the ARCA Series as a whole.