Max McLaughlin has been able to mix his racing career in 2024 as a rookie in the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Models and a part-time racer in the Super DIRTcar Series.
With five races remaining until the championship finale at World of Outlaws World Finals, the 24-year-old gasser is second in the MD3 Rookie of the Year points as he focuses on finishing each night with something new to learn and grow his skillset.
“I think we’re the only true rookie on the World of Outlaws season and it’s been wild,” McLaughlin said. “My [second late model] race was at Volusia (in January); it’s been a lot of fun in any case. I didn’t know if I could be a late model driver at the start of the year with its challenges. I know that I can do it.
“It’s been about learning about these tracks we go to and having a setup that works to have results with some changes here and there. We’ve had our ups and downs. It’s awesome to get some wins, battle with these guys, and run towards the front, so I am having fun.”
He made his presence known driving the No. 22* Longhorn Chassis in 2024 with a prelim Series Feature win at Talladega Short Track, his first Summer Nationals Feature win at Adams County Speedway, and his first points podium with the series at River Cities Speedway.
“Consistency is everything,” McLaughlin said. “Once you (win), you know you can contend to beat good people, get a podium with the Outlaws, and have a shot to win every time. It feels great and you wanna do it all the time. But, when you can’t, you get pissed. We’re looking forward to the end of the year, we got good cars and great sponsors. Bilstein and Longhorn have helped us setup-wise recently, and I’d like to see if we end the year on a good note.”
Having to learn a new way of driving a late model compared to a big block modified, McLaughlin was tasked with learning how to adjust the car to his liking and understanding the aerodynamics that he never needed to rely much on outside of his limited starts from the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series and ARCA Menards Series.
“The racecraft is so much different with a late model compared to a big block,” McLaughlin said. “Big blocks don’t really teach you much about air. I ran a few sprint car races that helped and did good at. I kind of forgot about the aerodynamics earlier in my career outside of the NASCAR stuff. They’re so different.
“I didn’t really figure out about taking someone’s air or to work through dirty air until the midpoint of the year, then we got to clicking off some good runs. Tyler Murray, one of my best friends, we’ve learned a lot this year with the late model, so we’ll see how the year ends and hopefully return with the World of Outlaws in 2025.”
Before he wraps up his late model campaign at The Dirt Track at Charlotte, McLaughlin will pilot his familiar No. 8H big block modified to go after his first win in the Billy Whittaker Cars 200 during Super DIRT Week 52 at Oswego Speedway, Oct. 7-12.
“Mad Max” has only one Super DIRTcar Series start in 2024, finishing fifth in the Heroes Remembered 100 at Weedsport.
“I’ll be back at Super DIRT Week in the 8H for Al Heinke,” McLaughlin said. “Murray and I already have our camping spots ready for Oswego. We’re excited to go back, it’s something I feel like, I never say I should’ve won, but we’ve had a few shots to win the past couple of years. Before that, I led a lot of laps in my career there, probably more than anyone who hasn’t won at Super DIRT Week, honestly.
“It’s been tough. Oswego’s a track that suits my driving style, I’ve won on the asphalt with a super modified. It’s just something I’ve never been able to break through. Who knows, maybe being the outsider will help with my drive to get it done this year. I’m definitely a better driver than any other part of my career, and I know HBR will give me a good car to win.”
Known as “Racing’s Biggest Party,” McLaughlin keeps the event dear to his heart as he hopes to participate in the event each year until he hangs up the helmet later down the road. For now, he’s looking to finish one spot better than he did in 2023 for his first Billy Whittaker Cars 200 triumph.
“These late model races get pretty wild, and it reminds me so much of Super DIRT Week,” McLaughlin said. “The only difference is that we just don’t have the big names for the concerts. That week has an amazing atmosphere, the planning is really good with Brian Carter, Jeff Hachmann and all of WRG take such great care of that event. Losing Syracuse was a bummer for most, but I feel like SDW has had the best racing it’s ever had at Oswego.
“There’s never really been a bad race. I always look forward to it, no matter where I am in my career, I’m gonna be at Super DIRT Week racing. I’m gonna win that race before I quit. Al’s been my number-one guy my whole career. I wouldn’t be where I am without him. I broke my back when I was 13 doing a backflip and I haven’t done one since. If I win, I’ll probably do one again.”