How I Got Here: Lauren (Lobosky) Sullivan
04/22/2024
Saint Louis University alumna Lauren (Lobosky) Sullivan is an engineer with Team Penske.
1988
Sullivan is born in Walnut, California.
1998
Her mom and dad both have ties to racing. One notable moment during childhood is meeting racing legend John Force at a National Hot Rod Association race in California.
“Growing up, my family had a NASCAR race on TV every Sunday.”
1999
Sullivan’s engineering journey begins: She builds a wind tunnel for a science fair project in fifth grade, winning a blue ribbon.
2004
After her family started a NASCAR super late model racing team in 1999 at Irwindale Speedway, Sullivan joins the pit crew.
2006
She enrolls at Saint Louis University, majoring in meteorology and then physics before deciding on aerospace engineering.
2008
For a project in her differential equations class, Sullivan and her classmates build a “frocket,” a combination of a rocket and Frisbee. She earns an A in the process.
“That was probably my favorite math class ever. When it came time to make the frocket, I was the only one with shop experience. That was a pretty cool moment, seeing what you’re learning come to life.”
2009
One of Sullivan’s favorite areas at SLU is the wind tunnel lab. She spends countless hours in the tunnel, both conducting tests and performing maintenance.
“Because I had access to the wind tunnel, I learned stuff faster and was able to hone my skills sooner. It put me in front of people at Boeing who saw what I was doing, and they were impressed.”
2010
Sullivan graduates from SLU and accepts a job with Boeing, testing fighter aircraft and weapons in wind tunnels.
2015
She decides to pursue a career in motor sports, joining Team Penske’s NASCAR team as an engineer. Also this year, after meeting at SLU years ago, she marries Sean Sullivan (PC ’09) in St. Louis.
“In aerospace, I was just always looking forward to the point in my life where I wasn’t going to have to work anymore. Working in motor sports, I ironically don’t see a finish line I’m trying to get to. I’m just having fun and taking every opportunity as it comes my way.”
2018
Supporting NASCAR driver Joey Logano, Sullivan wins her first NASCAR Cup Series Championship. She goes on to win two more championships, one in NASCAR and one in INDYCAR.
2021
Sullivan is a part of the Paretta Autosport team, in a technical alliance with Team Penske, at the Indianapolis 500, which makes history as the crew with the most female members.
“For any females interested in getting into engineering, motor sports, any STEM-related career: Society is changing, and you don’t need to fight for a seat. Just take it. You are wanted here.”
