YouTuber Hosts Ford Ranger Dirt Track Race, Utter Chaos Ensues

Cleetus McFarland’s Danger Ranger 9000 was filled with multiple Ford Ranger wrecks, fires, and hot racing action.

Those that have been following the antics of YouTuber Cleetus McFarland are already well aware of the Florida native’s love for ridiculous, over-the-top builds, drag racing, and even demolition derby events. However, while we’ve come to expect nothing but the extreme from the mullet-rocking McFarland, his latest venture might just be the most insane thing we’ve seen yet. Dubbed the Danger Ranger 9000, this Ford Ranger filled dirt track race at Bristol Motor Speedway was nothing more than a chaotic, crash-filled adventure, as we can see in the video below.

The concept behind this event is pretty simple – McFarland invited 30 people out to compete in a circle dirt track race, each behind the wheel of a Ford Ranger pickup, which are all pretty beat up and covered with various, humorous liveries. The pickups were set to run a total of 50 laps, and as one might imagine – particularly if you’ve watched one of these races before – the on-track action made it worth the price of admission, though it’s also amazing that no one got seriously injured here.

We say that because this race was filled with carnage, starting with the number 69 pickup, which goes completely airborne while six total pickups are involved in an accident on the very first lap. McFarland winds up bowing out early with a blown engine, but the wrecks just keep on coming, making this more of a demolition derby than an actual, competitive race.

Throughout the course of this event, Ford Ranger after Ford Ranger crashes – and in one case – burns – as the field is eventually whittled down to just 19 trucks with 15 laps to go. Things do eventually settle down, with the remaining drivers eager to claim victory, fighting it out lap after lap. When the dust (quite literally) settles, it’s Keith McGee who winds up taking the win, likely having the most fun of his life in the process.

If nothing else, the Danger Ranger 9000 certainly lived up to its billing as a thrilling event, one chock full of crazy crashes like we used to see in major forms of motorsport. However, unlike those crazy-expensive endeavors that are limited to only mega teams these days, events like the ones that McFarland continues to host are far more accessible – and arguably, far more exciting to watch, too.

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Brett Foote

Brett Foote has been covering the automotive industry for over five years and is a longtime contributor to Internet Brands’ Auto Group sites, including Chevrolet Forum, Rennlist, and Ford Truck Enthusiasts, among other popular sites.

He has been an automotive enthusiast since the day he came into this world and rode home from the hospital in a first-gen Mustang, and he's been wrenching on them nearly as long.

In addition to his expertise writing about cars, trucks, motorcycles, and every other type of automobile, Brett had spent several years running parts for local auto dealerships.

You can follow along with his builds and various automotive shenanigans on Instagram: @bfoote.