From Ruggles to Victory Lane: CJ McLaughlin's NASCAR Journey
CJ McLaughlin, Mechanical Engineering '16, is a full-time NASCAR Xfinity Series Driver
CJ McLaughlin does not have a traditional 9-5 job. As a professional NASCAR driver, his career path is fueled by passion, perseverance, and the practical skills honed during his time at Wentworth Institute of Technology.
For McLaughlin, the decision to attend Wentworth was influenced by family connections—his uncle and stepfather are also alumni—and the university's renowned co-op program.
The hands-on nature of Wentworth's Engineering program also stood out to him. He firmly believes in the practical readiness of its graduates. "If you want to hire a kid from Wentworth, they're going to know how to get things done,” said McLaughlin, Mechanical Engineering '16.
Beyond the technical skills, McLaughlin emphasizes the critical importance of communication, a lesson learned within Wentworth's collaborative environment. "I learned that you could have the smartest person in the room, and if they can't communicate the idea, the idea might not get the traction it deserves," he said. This understanding has been invaluable in his career, where pitching ideas and building relationships are key.
Several figures at Wentworth played a role in McLaughlin’s development. He credits Associate Professor of Business Management Michael Mozill for his significant support. And a guest speaker, Larry Blumsack, taught him the power of "how to use my voice," a skill essential for a driver seeking sponsorships and representing a team. Additionally, an Industrial Organization class, which he initially found challenging, provided lasting insights into human dynamics. "That was one I really learned a lot from," McLaughlin said.
McLaughlin completed his co-op experience at Wyman Gordon, a global materials science company. "It was great," he said. "I gained experience, and they let me do a wide range of significant tasks there. It was a really cool industrial co-op. I took on whole projects and I designed machines. They were really innovative projects."
While a NASCAR career might seem distant from a traditional engineering path, McLaughlin found that the problem-solving and communication skills he developed at Wentworth were directly transferable. His journey to becoming a professional driver involved years of dedication, cold-calling potential sponsors, and learning how to articulate the value of a partnership.
"It taught me how to pitch myself," he said.
Today, CJ McLaughlin's day-to-day life involves intense preparation for races using sophisticated iRacing simulations and the constant pursuit of sponsorships. He cherishes the ability to travel and the joy of sharing his racing passion with his father. His favorite tracks, Daytona and Bristol, hold personal significance, echoing childhood memories and early racing experiences.
McLaughlin also firmly believes in the foundational knowledge his degree provided.
"You need to go to school to be an engineer,” he said. “That’s not something you can YouTube your way out of."
