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I've Officially Owned The Freedom Factory For 3 Years!!!
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- Published on Feb 5, 2023 veröffentlicht
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It’s strange how I can be so proud of someone I don’t even know. Been living vicariously through your success brother. Keep it going!
I don't think it's strange, It's good to be happy for someone else's success.
Amen! I can't wait to come down to FL and meet the crew and enjoy an event. Love all these guys.
100 percent!
Same been watching him grow for yrs keep it up brother!!👏👌
Love this
That first Freedom 500 PPV was the ballsiest thing I've ever seen. Every pro sport... EVERY PRO SPORT... was closed down until you and Dana White grew the balls to run events. It was so much fun to watch. I'm not your core audience, but I'll always be a subscriber because I admire your hustle so much. Glad it's working for you Garrett.
I was so stoked also. Was such a miserable time especially with me working in urgent care at the hospital and the stupidity that went on there the last 3 years
People keep forgetting/ignoring, Team Cleet got it figured out, of how to run an event under those rules. And it's not just every pro sport, it was every international form of motorsport too, all those were closed, then suddenly, there's the Freedom 500 PPV, rough and redneck and hilarious, and good entertainment for everyone who needed a mental break from the shutdown. I reckon the big brands in sport got a bit of an ego kick to the goolies that day.
I think the reason that the FF basically hung in and worked was not only the graft that you all put in, but also it was always done in quite an open, honest, up front manner. When you screw up or something goes wrong, you own it, you genuinely learn from it and make sure that it's not a problem going forwards. The vast majority of people appreciate that and it resonates with them. Keep it up!
Really proud of everything you've done for our local area Bro! It's been super fun to watch it all from the seat of my mower. Let's hope the "Tour of Destruction" stays off the lawn (PLEASE!!!) 😇
I chuckled at this then realized I'm wearing my Freedom Factory "On the Gas, Off the Grass!" shirt. It's a thing, and your struggle is real. 😎
As a viewer I can say, your grass has played a very significant role in the tracks story, and story is what draws audiences in. Everyone knows to stay off the grass. Everyone waits to see how Garret reacts to people not staying off the grass. The people want to see how the grass recovers.
You do a great job mate !
And you do an excellent job of keeping the grass looking great for the events. You don't get much recognition for it, so it's the least I can do. You're going to have your hands full after the school busses get done with it. Lol
I have to say watching the channel, the team, the track, and the cars blossom into something amazing has been such a joy. I started watching during the GT500 swap into Neighbor and I don’t think I’ve missed a video yet!
I am old enough to be your father, but your channel, is just different, I literally can't wait for you to post content, i just enjoy everything you guys do, it's fun, silly, and it's the good the bad and the ugly, and we all laugh, and cringe at times, and sometimes even a little prayer, but I feel like family, because that is your personality, you make everyone feel like we are part of your life. Keep on doing what you're doing.
I’m old enough to be his older brother but I’ve been a fan ever since the Camaro video but I’ve seen how this man has gone
💯👍🇺🇲🤠
You don't get this kind of heartfelt Genuine insight into most people especially on Clip-Share. Ty for being you brother
Couldn't have said it any better
He’s our boy Cleet!
It’s been amazing to see what you’ve accomplished with a great group of friends couldn’t be more proud of you Garrett all the hard work paying off plus married and a father. Congrats brother
It's an amazing thing for all of us! What you have done has been nothing short of amazing! I'm not even into racing but can't stop watching the content you guys create!
Keep up the great work Cleetus and crew!
I can't imagine the feeling cleetus must have where he can literally wake up and go play at his own personal racetrack. This man has his own version of Disney world at his fingertips.
I also feel like all the money, blood, sweat, and tears that the whole crew put into turning the Freedom Factory into what it is makes the whole enjoyment aspect of the FF that much better. And to think that his kid is gonna be able to grow up around a great track with great people is even better.
Nothing but respect for you and your crew. You and your guys have created a haven for car enthusiasts and lovers of all sorts of motorsports. I live in Minnesota and I eventually plan on seeing the FF. Keep up the great work Garrett.
Raced there in a Mod Mini this weekend and I was truly blown away by what an amazing facility you have built. It is by far the nicest track in Florida let alone the United States. Thank You Cleetus for everything you have done and are doing for the racing community. You have injected new blood into a sport that seemed to be dying!
@Eric B What makes you think the coliseum race is a ripoff of the Freedom 500?
" It is by far the nicest track in Florida let alone the United States."
I get it you're fanboying hard right now, but dude c'mon lol.
@PiDsMedia 🤣 You have no idea what you're talking about. If it was "just an airport with too many bumps" they wouldn't drive million dollar cars there... literally 1 of those teams are worth more then Cleetus' entire fleet & The Freedom Factory. Come back down to reality.
Early on after you bought the FF I made sure I bought all the ppv's and I always waited till day of. It was all I could afford at the time but I did what I could. I've tried to buy merch a few times but my size is always sold out, no biggie. I'm so glad that it is finally making enough to keep itself going. You've really done an amazing thing with it the shop and the channel. Good job man!!!!
You are doing great your determination is inspiring to so many. Keep up the great work and stay humble.
You and your crew have done hell of a job. You took a big chance and it came thru. No doubt you are Blessed. Love watching everything, its great exciting, clean content. It's refreshing with all the junk out in the world today. Thanks
I know just thru normal everyday stuff how humble and grateful you are but this puts a spot light on it. Keep it up good sir. Looking forward to seeing you again in Indy
Congrats. You and your crew deserve all the success. Just waiting for someone ambitious like you to come scoop up some local tracks in my area. You've proven you can make money and have a kick ass facility on the local level.
I can't believe just how far the track has come since you bought it
Right? Imagine bringing in 75-125k per event. He's doing phenomenal!
@6jonline oh I know you was I was just replying to you 👍🇬🇧
@Matthew Goodsell I completely agree with you. I was just adding on to your point.
@6jonline what I mean the power of social media is sometimes a good thing. Not always but for this stuff brilliant
@Matthew Goodsell The track has probably had more televised events (PPV) alone in the last 3 years than it has in the last decade or 2. Even then, the old events weren't shown worldwide like they are now.
I am so glad that you were able to get the PPV stream in place for the first Freedom 500 and that it was enough to enable you to keep the Freedom Factory going through the pandemic, it makes us foreigners (UK for me) feel that we have helped a little keep the dream alive, other track owners must be looking at what you have done in such a short time and be shaking their heads. Keep up the great work brother.
I'm amazed and proud of you man. It just goes to show that with a little(or a lot) of hard work and dream is obtainable for anyone.
I think that next, maybe look into a lodging plan for us, everytime I come I stay 30 minutes away. You'd be on top of the world with a Traxk, channel, and booming hotel!
Haven’t been able to invest in your entertainment since the first freedom factory race. I’m pumped to see your progress and glad so many other have been able to support and help make this dream a reality. Truly what you do is not just your dream come true, is a dream come true for every grown adult with a 12 year old boys heart and joy. Thank you for being a light In dark times! God bless you, your new family and everyone that you influence.
love to hear it, always said your content is amazing, but your transparency on the business side takes it to the next level - we are here with you borther!
Cleeter Mcskeeter you guys are killing it, it's amazing what you all have accomplished!
3 years to be self sustaining is great and it's turned out better than I would have expected. Rarely do I care about a stranger's success but so glad you made it work!
Right? I saw the drive, but I never thought it would become what it has. Kinda makes me wish I was more personable because I would start a tube channel myself with my Harley. The amount of work he put in fixing that place up was just amazing all the while doing his other thing. The kid has something special and I'm glad to see it working for him and his friends, I bet he is a great boss, and most of all his young family. I just hope that housing development doesn't ruin it for him and the drag strip!
These 3 years have flown by! Been fun watching every step!!
You have breathed new life into homegrown amateur fun! Thank you for sticking thru the tough times by being an innovative showman. We can only hope that you continue to keep finding new ways to bring the fun brother!
I’ve been to two of your events (LeMullets 21 and Freedom 500 22). Both times were a blast and I’m blown away by how nice you and your crew have made a place that was literally abandoned 3 years ago.
THIS is exactly why I buy the PPV and have done since the very first Freedom 500 - oh boy they’ve come a long long way. I understood, even though you never explicitly said this, that they support the track and it was a necessary revenue to support your team to feed their families, keep the track open and the content coming. I’ll always be happy to keep buying them as you provide so much free entertainment for us all. It’s now our opportunity to help put some cash back into it and get even more entertainment. Thank you as always Garret.
I just also want to say the recent PPVs with the Sportsman / Compact series etc has been fantastic!
Yup. I am glad I was part of the group of fans that helped him keep going!
This track has made a complete 180 and man you’ve put a lot of smiles on people’s faces, and brought back some hope in the racing community! Thanks you for letting us enjoy this place with you🤘🏼
I love hearing the info drops you offer with behind the scenes clips, hopefully to come. You can never give us too much content, and congratulations on a three year anniversary! Very well deserved for you, your family, your team, and the track crew! Slaying it out there!
I tell you something brother I started watching you almost from the beginning and you are Beats you're a hard worker and very funny, I don't know you personally but I'm proud of everything you do like I can't wait to watch your videos cuz they're funny, serious entertaining and you put a f****** team around you bro that is like you have to be lucky, first Cooper, 100% Jack stand Jimmy 100% your wife 100% and the rest of them all the way to Sam I mean..... I hope and I know you will continue to succeed. Be safe brother..
It is crazy how open and honest you are. I love it and it's very educational. Been watching since you got Leroy!
Man I remember the day you bought the FF and you rebuilding it was my favorite series EVER. It’s so cool to see how much you’ve grown as a channel and how the FF is now self sustaining. Keep going man!
First Freedom 500 was a truly legendary event. Better than anything I've ever watched live before.
I remember tearing up a bit when Spicy Spence stepped up for 'Murica and sang the national anthem at the inaugural Freedom 500. They had someone else scheduled to sing, but they couldn't make it, so Spence stepped into the breach. He wasn't perfect, but it was a perfect moment.
@MrJacksonBollock the greatest event of them all and I remember the moment they asked Cleet “do you feel bad??” It may have been the pinnacle moment of thw Freedom 500. We all come from Top Gear, we all grew up with Clarkson, Hammond,and May
@Tripp Rogers I'm in the UK and was shouting and cheering at my laptop at 4am.
"Ask me if I feel bad"
"Do you feel bad?"
"I do not feel bad" 😂
I think it is better than the Daytona 500
So glad to see where it is now! Very excited to see where it will be in a few more years.
Cant believe it's been 3 years already! Im so proud of you guys and what you have done not only with the Freedom Factory, but also to the main channel, the crew, the cars and the laughs you bring to all of us! One of my biggest goals is to visit the FF and attend a Cleetus and cars! Keep up the awesome work, brother!
Congratulations Garrett. What a huge accomplishment. You and all the FF and CM crew deserve all the praise in the world. Also I need to buy a Tye Grade shirt please :)
So happy for you man - I came to know about you & Freedom Factory from Vice Grip Garage. Successful leap of faith!
Always love how transparent Cleetus is with his fans. Congratulations on 3 years.
Congrats clettus and team can't wait to see what you can do in another 3 years
I hope the home developers don’t fuck this whole situation.
Thank you for the insight into the highs and lows that come along with ownership of the Freedom Factory. It seriously ups my respect and admiration for you and the crew to new levels. Y’all continue to persevere and provide us all with incredible entertainment and experiences; many thanks Cleet!!
I completely take my hat off to you. Been watching since the early days of Leroy. What you have achieved in that time is truly amazing, you have either a great head on your shoulders or a huge set of cahoonies or both. the best thing for me though is, from a viewers aspect you have kept your feet firmly on the ground the whole time. Well done you.
hard work is stressful and it so so sweet when it all pays off!
A fan commented that he was old enough to be your father, well hell, I could be your grandfather, CONGRATS on Three Years! You have inspired many including me that not everyone of your generation are all lost…
Here in So. Cal., we have watched as nearly every race track has closed and turned into housing communities, so Kudos to you for having the gumption to save a part of your state’s automotive racing history👍
The people you're supporters helped bring the freedom factory alive plus your awesome channel man! Amazing can't wait to come out this year!
Garrett has successfully made it through all 5 phases of success. Everyone quits at phase 3. But not ol cleetus here. Congrats on the success man. It's so awesome hearing how you never gave up and stuck through the worst times and believed in yourself and what you were doing.
Thank you Cleetus for everything you have done for all us. !!!!!
I feel so privileged to have been following since you bought Ruby. I'd love to work for you someday.
Congratulations. You work very hard to be where you are with the Freedom Factory and your rescuing team. I started subscribing to your channel before you bought the Freedom Factory and I'm really glad I did. Keep up the good work.
Hell yeah brother! Been watching the track grow the past 3 years and just this past Saturday I got to come down from Toronto and got to meet you! Can’t wait to see what the next 3 years brings!
Nearly three years ago I risked everything and became a partner at a BMW shop. I fully understand the hair pulling, brother! I'm happy to see your success, and you inspire me.
It genuinely makes me so happy to know that the Freedom Factory is fully financially independent, despite the mountainous odds against you and the team! It really shows the massive effort, love of racing, and good ol' American pride you put into the place, and I'm stunned with how beautiful of a facility it has become. Kudos to everyone involved!
And man, I am so pumped for all the events planned this year, not only by you fellers, but the independent events as well. Every show has more passion and energy than the last, and every dang time, this Illinois boy wants more and more to come see an event in person.
Holy cow that three years went by so fast! Stoked to see how much your enterprise has grown and still kept all the good vibes
Would love some more rc content guys, even just working in them would be sick. Thanks for the content
Sooo Happy for the whole Cleeter family!!!! It’s been a Great ride!!!!
Cleetus aka man of integrity on the racing safety! Way to go man keep up the good work and I hope to meet you one day and maybe even race you down the track one day
Keep up the diligence. Most tracks wouldn’t put in the effort for good food and clean bathrooms. Also, pride yourself on the lack of promoting for the circle track racing because that speaks for itself. Keep the hometown feel and enjoy the track like you have begun to! Before you know it, lil ripper will be in a car against you and he will be showing you up!
Congrats on the 3 years. Also, please bring back Saturday night’s announcer to future events. He did an awesome job. He was so good that you didn’t miss having a second person in the booth.
I've been to the freedom factory twice now and it is an absolutely amazing experience. Thank you for everything you do.
Hell yeah, I'm glad I've got to see all the progression and experiences that everyone has had the chance to... experience hah. The Freedom Factory ain't goin' anywhere.
Good job Cleetus and gang!
This was a really interesting talk. Thanks for the inside scoop. Also, I agree with @Trusttech, even though I've only met you on a superficial level and I don't really know you, I almost feel like I do and I am so proud of your success. Keep going and keep the faith man!
Hell yeah brother. I'm honored to have watch you since 2017 and supported you throughout.
The freedom factory series was the best thing on youtube
So glad you put PPV so i got to see those events live in Australia!
Thanks Mate
This really helps to show behind the scenes of why so many tracks across the United States are closing down. Even someone with a giant following and a ton of advertising struggled to keep his racetrack afloat.. We’re all stoked it worked out though and look forward to visiting the FF soon!
Thank you for doing what you do!
You may have been ripping your hair out, put atleast u got KEEPS to bring it back!!🤣 can't wait to see what the next 3 years bring!!! The team is absolutely killing it!!
Thanks for all the entertainment Team Cleetus..Go Hard from New Zealand..
Never met you, stumbled onto your channel when you bought Leroy, and here we are so many years later, and you've achieved more in those few short years than most people do in a lifetime. Be proud, you have an incredible crew and superfans all over the world. You have well and truly kept Doin It For Dale
You're one of the few that could make this track work with your knowledge and experience in social media and outreach. Without that, you probably would have bankrupt. Hats off to ya.
It’s insane how much you have grown yourself and your brands. Proud of you Garrett and your whole team!
I remember during the very beginning of the pandemic, I had the purchase video of the FF come up in my recommended and followed these guys since. Sad that I did not find them before, but I’m glad I followed when I did.
Love ya cleet!
Your openness and honesty is astounding
Yeyeyeyeyeyeyeye
All the best for 2023
Just killin out there!!
The fact that it is self sustaining is just mind blowing
It’s been an absolute pleasure watching you mature over the years. I appreciate you sharing your lives with us. (I’d like to see Holley a bit more. 😁🐕) I wish you continued success and look forward to seeing you in person this year.
Congrats man! 3 years and it looks like you've owned it for 20 the way that it's changed. Keep up the killer work dude. We all truly appreciate what you do for the car community
Hi Garrett, you purchasing the FF introduces me to your Clip-Share channel. I backtracked a lot of your content and every new video is a joy. By far my favorite channel ever since I just want to say; THANK YOU!
Congratulations , and thanks for putting in the time and effort to keep it going.
When you announced you were going to buy it, I thought you were crazy. You have exceeded any possible expectations. You are an incredible entrepreneur and the success is well deserved.
Proud of you and the entire team who puts their effort into this!!
A day I'll never forget. My father passed away on January 17th of this year, and I am still in shock. He used to take me to Bradenton, Auburndale, and East Bay all the time as a kid - I never missed a Super Bowl of Motorsports (Old Sombrero was 100% better) or a Monster Jam growing up.
I was able to take my drivers license test at 16 in a 1990 XJS V-12 convertible Jaguar thanks to him.
He's the entire reason I got into cars, and I'm having a hard time enjoying it through the tears. I'm almost 38 now, but I feel like a lost child without him. 😭
Hug your parents and tell them you love them often, because you never know when you won't be able to.
feel for you brother lost my father at 18 im 21 now❤ i still feel lost at times but ive found my path and doing well for myself
Hard work, dedication, and a great support system pays off! So happy for you all and your family for the success off the FF!
I remember the first vid when you bought the place….I knew you would turn it into something incredible! I’ve had the opportunity to go there a few times now and it’s always a heck of a show! Great people, great facility and makes for good fans too. I’ve prayed for your success and hope it continues Garrett! Hope to be down in Sept! And will definitely be at my home track Bristol to see y’all!
Tour of destruction is a blast!! Congratulations brother on the track!! God bless you and yours 🇺🇸
congrats cleetus! so awesome to see what youve accomplished in those three years, so stoked to see whats to come.
Cletus it’s an exhilarating moment to see one of you young fellas take on a challenge like - something to be very proud of and inspire a generation of youngsters out there - I am avid follower from Oz really enjoy your work tech and amusing content from time to time -I have been in business for a long time and understand the hair pulling and difficulty in getting things to add up so as one of of your senior followers congrats on pulling this all together and wish you every good fortune moving forward - takes some serious balls to take the risk few out there would!
Kindest Regards
J
Its been 3 years already. I remember the videos of when you just got the track. It does not feel like its been that long. A lot of good memories.
Congratulations Cleetus! I'm proud to say I've been here since you swapped Coopers supercharger from the Cadi onto Leroy when he was still in his begging stages. I really appreciate all the amazing content you and the guys have put together over the years.
Love this, let's get it re-topped and keep it rolling!
Hyped for you and your future garret! You guys are a great group that deserve the best for the hard work always put in
Its crazy how fast time is moving.. you have brought that place so far in such a short amount of time!
Fck yeah brother. I'm so proud of you and the boys. Insane to go from shitty omaha to a full blown Florida man and track owner. I'm hoping to join you in moving somewhere warm and actually fun haha
It would be really cool if the McFarland Racing Team did a nationwide tour or event where you guys travel to some smaller drag strips to help breathe some life back into them. My local track is constantly under attack from karens who willingly moved in next door and I don't know how much longer they will be able to fight them. Im, sure there are tons of tracks across the nation that experiance the same thing
I'm so glad you saved this track, and I'm hoping the subdivision issue doesn't harm it in any way. Congrats to you and your personnel!
I'll buy the PPV even if I cannot watch it live. You are killing it though Cleet, work with the developers and you all can mold the area around you to benefit you.
I really love how you shared numbers. Keepin it real