CJ McLaughlin Bio
Charles Joseph McLaughlin, known professionally as CJ McLaughlin, is an American professional stock car racing driver born on July 1, 1992, in Framingham, Massachusetts. He has competed across several NASCAR national and regional touring series, most recently in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, driving the No. 42 Chevrolet Camaro SS for Young’s Motorsports. Over the course of his career, McLaughlin has built a reputation as a steady, part-time competitor who has balanced engineering studies with a multi-series racing schedule.
After years of running selective schedules in the ARCA Menards Series, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, and the NASCAR Xfinity Series, McLaughlin has continued to stay active in stock car racing. He has been associated with several teams, including Reaume Brothers Racing, RSS Racing, Emerling-Gase Motorsports, and DGM Racing with Jesse Iwuji Motorsports, showcasing his adaptability behind the wheel of a Chevrolet.
Early Life and Background
Charles Joseph McLaughlin was born and raised in Framingham, Massachusetts, where he developed an early fascination with motorsports. Growing up in a region with a strong short-track racing culture, he spent his formative years learning the basics of car preparation and race craft. Those early experiences helped shape his path toward a professional career in American stock car racing.
McLaughlin later attended the Wentworth Institute of Technology, a Boston-based college known for its engineering and technology programs. He graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering, a credential that has complemented his on-track work by giving him a deeper understanding of vehicle dynamics and setup. Despite his academic commitments, he continued to chase opportunities in racing, balancing classroom learning with time at the track.
Path to NASCAR
McLaughlin’s introduction to NASCAR’s ladder system came through the ARCA Menards Series, where he first tested a car for Hamilton Hughes Racing in early 2016. He made his ARCA Menards Series debut in 2018 at the Shore Lunch 200 at Lucas Oil Raceway, marking the official beginning of his national-touring career. The experience gave him valuable seat time and exposure to the demands of stock car racing at a higher level.
His progression through the ranks continued in 2019, when he entered the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series for the first time, finishing 23rd in the M&M’s 200 at Iowa Speedway driving the No. 33 for Reaume Brothers Racing. That same year, he made his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut in the ROXOR 200 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway with RSS Racing. These early starts established McLaughlin as a versatile driver capable of transitioning between series and teams.
CJ McLaughlin Career
Early Career (2018-2019)
McLaughlin’s professional career began in the ARCA Menards Series in 2018, where he competed at Lucas Oil Raceway in the Shore Lunch 200. The following year, he expanded his schedule, adding starts in both the NASCAR Truck Series and the Xfinity Series. His best ARCA Menards Series finish came in 2019, when he ended the year 36th in the standings while collecting a single top-ten result.
During this developmental phase, McLaughlin worked with smaller, owner-operator teams such as Reaume Brothers Racing and RSS Racing. These partnerships provided him with consistent opportunities to race and refine his skills. His willingness to take on a wide variety of tracks and race formats helped him build a foundation for future seasons.
NASCAR Xfinity Series Breakthrough (2019-2022)
McLaughlin’s Xfinity Series career gained momentum in 2020, when he returned to RSS Racing for a 20-race schedule. The extended campaign allowed him to log valuable experience at a variety of tracks and improve his qualifying and race-day execution. Although he did not secure a win, the season represented a significant step forward in his national-series presence.
In 2021, McLaughlin split his time between the Truck Series and the Xfinity Series, driving for MBM Motorsports and Mike Harmon Racing in the Xfinity ranks. He returned to RSS Racing in 2022 for a part-time Xfinity schedule, piloting the team’s Nos. 38 and 28 entries. His best Xfinity Series points finish during this stretch was 39th, recorded in both 2022 and 2023.
Emerling-Gase Motorsports Era (2023)
On January 30, 2023, McLaughlin was announced as part of an 18-race plan with Emerling-Gase Motorsports, splitting seat time between the team’s No. 35 and No. 53 cars. The arrangement was designed to give multiple drivers opportunities behind the wheel, with McLaughlin sharing duties with the likes of Brad Perez and co-owner Patrick Emerling. His season with the team reflected the increasingly common multi-driver model used by smaller Xfinity outfits.
The collaboration allowed McLaughlin to remain competitive in the series while contributing to the team’s development. Although the program was split across several drivers, his consistent presence helped stabilize the team’s on-track performance throughout the year.
RSS Racing and Viking Motorsports Era (2024)
McLaughlin began the 2024 Xfinity Series season back with RSS Racing, driving the No. 38 car. That year, longtime sponsor SciAps, led by CEO Don Sackett, entered an ownership collaboration with RSS, and the program was rebranded as Viking Motorsports. After McLaughlin handled the early-season schedule, Matt DiBenedetto took over the ride for the remainder of the year.
Later in 2024, McLaughlin returned to the Xfinity Series with SS-Green Light Racing, running three additional races at Daytona, Atlanta, and Talladega with sponsorship from Main Street Auto. These superspeedway events suited his driving style and gave him additional exposure on some of NASCAR’s most demanding tracks.
CJ McLaughlin Current Team
Young’s Motorsports Era (2025-Present)
In 2025, McLaughlin joined Young’s Motorsports to drive the No. 42 Chevrolet Camaro SS part-time in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. The team, a long-standing presence in NASCAR’s lower national touring divisions, has provided him with a competitive platform to continue his career. His first race with the program was the 2019 ROXOR 200 at New Hampshire, while his most recent start came in the 2026 BetRivers 200 at Dover.
Through the early portion of the 2025 season, McLaughlin has been listed 51st in the series standings. His best career O’Reilly Auto Parts Series points result remains 39th, recorded in both 2022 and 2023. The partnership with Young’s Motorsports reflects his continued commitment to competing at the national level while maintaining his part-time racing schedule.
Notable Races and Milestones
McLaughlin’s career has been built on a series of steady performances rather than single highlight-reel moments. His first NASCAR national-series start came in the 2019 M&M’s 200 at Iowa Speedway, while his Xfinity Series debut arrived the following month at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. He has also made appearances at iconic venues such as Daytona, Talladega, Charlotte, and Las Vegas, demonstrating his versatility across ovals of every shape and size.
CJ McLaughlin Career Wins
Across his time in the ARCA Menards Series, the ARCA Menards Series East, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, and the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, McLaughlin has not recorded a victory at the national level. His results have instead been highlighted by consistent top-ten finishes and reliable machinery, a profile that has allowed him to remain active across multiple teams and series for several seasons.
Xfinity and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Highlights
In the NASCAR Xfinity Series and its successor, the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, McLaughlin has earned one career top-ten finish. He has never won a pole position, but his ability to complete races and post competitive results has been a hallmark of his time in the series. His best points finish, 39th in 2022 and 2023, reflects a steady presence rather than a breakthrough campaign.
Other Wins and Performances
McLaughlin’s ARCA Menards Series tenure produced a single top-ten result, with his best overall standings position being 36th in 2019. In the ARCA Menards Series East, he made his debut in 2023 at Dover, finishing the year 44th in points. In the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, his best points result was 108th in 2021, earned across a limited schedule that included starts at Iowa, Kansas, Charlotte, and Las Vegas.
CJ McLaughlin Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about McLaughlin’s immediate family is limited. He is not related to former NASCAR driver Mike McLaughlin or to Mike’s son Max McLaughlin, both of whom have competed in the Truck Series and ARCA Menards Series in recent years. Despite the shared surname, the three drivers come from separate racing families and have built independent careers.
Personal Life
McLaughlin is a graduate of the Wentworth Institute of Technology, where he earned a degree in mechanical engineering. His technical education has been a defining feature of his professional identity, allowing him to engage with car setup and engineering work in addition to his driving duties. He has largely kept his personal life out of the public eye, focusing public attention on his racing career and academic background.
2025 Season Performance
McLaughlin’s 2025 campaign is centered on a part-time schedule with Young’s Motorsports in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, driving the No. 42 Chevrolet Camaro SS. Through the early rounds of the season, he has been listed 51st in the standings, consistent with the limited number of starts he typically logs each year. The program is built around selective, high-value races rather than a full-season pursuit of points.
The move to Young’s Motorsports has given McLaughlin a familiar Chevrolet-powered platform and a chance to continue competing at the national level. His experience across multiple teams and series has made him a reliable fit for organizations seeking an experienced part-time driver. As the season progresses, he is expected to focus on superspeedway and intermediate tracks where his smooth, consistent driving style has historically performed well.
