C.J. Wilson Focused on New Motorsports Career
Retired MLB pitcher making big strides with CJ Wilson Racing.
For most people, changing careers isn’t easy. But C.J. Wilson obviously isn’t most people. The former Major League Baseball pitcher walked away from the game at the end of last season at the tender age of 36. But instead of sticking around to coach or land a job on TV, Wilson decided to follow his passion for cars into the world of motorsports. And now he’s not only driving the No. 33 Porsche Fresno 911 GT3 Cup car, he owns an entire racing team – CJ Wilson Racing.
‘My goal is to win Le Mans. I think that’s a reasonable goal.’
Despite just starting out in the racing world, Wilson has already made strides. His ninth place finish at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama represented his best result to date. But the young racer has his sights set on much larger goals. Wilson tells the Star-Telegram that he wants to race in the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans as soon as next year. And at some point, he wants to win it.
“My goal is to win Le Mans. I think that’s a reasonable goal,” Wilson reveals to the Star-Telegram. “There’s a good chance if I get with a really good team and have a really good teammate, it can really work out.”
Considering his rapid ascension up the ladder of motorsports, we have no reason to doubt him. Especially when you factor in his motivation for doing so. Before injuries prematurely ended his baseball career, Wilson made it all the way to game 7 of the World Series before falling short of his ultimate goal. And he hasn’t forgotten the sting of that loss or the way his career ended.
“No, I’m not happy with how my [baseball] career turned out. That gives me a little drive to get the most out of my racing life. I really regret not being able to win the World Series in Texas and wish I could’ve got a couple more years out of my arm.”
Now, Wilson has a chance to achieve the pinnacle of his profession once again. This time, in an entirely new career.
