August 20, 2013 - Former Sprint Cup Engine Tuner Exits Pit Row to Impact Lives at Universal Technical Institute

Michael Riordan left a promising career in racing to help steer students in the right direction.

Michael Riordan was enjoying a successful career working for Roush Yates Racing Engines after graduating from NASCAR Technical Institute (NASCAR Tech). For most motorsports enthusiasts, working for a major race team and tuning up cars for NASCAR Sprint Cup races would be a dream job. Although Riordan loves the racing culture, he left it all behind and returned to his alma mater to help students achieve their goals - just as he did.

Riordan remembers being 10 or 11-years-old, sitting in a T-Bucket, when he first heard a sound that would ignite an obsession; the sound of a modified engine. From that moment on, a life in the automotive and motorsports industries was all he ever wanted.

“That’s when I realized I wanted to be around this kind of stuff,” said Riordan. “I have always been fascinated with cars and trucks, but that experience made it real for me.”

As Riordan grew older, his passion and interest swelled, even before he could get behind the wheel of the cars that fascinated him. He made a calculated decision to attend UTI-Avondale because of the superior training and the career opportunities it presented.

“I knew if I went to school here [UTI] I would to learn all about building performance engines,” said Riordan. “UTI would help me achieve my goals and get paid to be around cars and trucks.”

After enrolling at UTI-Avondale, not only was Riordan learning skills necessary for him to be successful in the industry, he was making memories far beyond anything he could have imagined.

“My best memories are the relationships I had with my instructors. It felt like they were friends,” said Riordan. “All of the instructors went out of their way to teach us everything they knew and made sure we understood it. Their passion for the job was limitless and that rubbed off on me.”

After completing his core automotive education, Riordan was focused on the track and knew “Race City, USA” was where he needed to be to break into the motorsports industry. Riordan was a successful student, but it was his work ethic and determination that paid dividends.

In Nov. 2010, Riordan began working at Roush Yates Racing Engines. Like most new hires, Riordan was responsible for doing the “grunt” work. He didn’t mind.

“I started out stocking and sorting parts. Well diggers are the only workers who start at the top,” said Riordan. “You have to prove your skills and build trust with your employer.”

Eventually, Riordan was able to prove his worth and moved up within the ranks. By Oct. 2011, Riordan was a full-time engine tuner in the ARCA Racing Series and responsible for managing up to eight engines at one time.  His time in the garage paid off in 2012, when he was a member of an ARCA Championship team, and also had the opportunity to finish out the Sprint Cup season working for Leavine Family Racing, tuning up the No. 95 car.

Even after achieving success and being at the top of the racing game, Riordan never forgot the journey that led him there.

“Without the education I received from both schools, I’m not sure I would have had an interview with Roush,” said Riordan. “I would have never been able to make it as an engine tuner, that’s for sure.”

A few months after capturing a racing title and working for a Sprint Cup race team, Riordan was exhausted. 

“The traveling side of NASCAR is pretty intense,” he said.

Tired and looking to make his next move, Riordan came across an opportunity to work for the school that had taught him so much.

In April 2013, Riordan started as a campus admissions representative at the Phoenix Admissions Representative Center (PARC). It was a huge transition and makes one wonder about giving up a life in the garage for a desk job. Riordan’s reasoning was simple.

“I saw an opportunity with UTI, helping students achieve their goals, just like I did,” said Riordan. “It was something that sparked my interest.”

Fulfilled in his current role of helping students prepare for a promising future, Riordan’s passion for engines and all things automotive still burns.

“I ultimately hope to have a nice collection of toys to work on,” said Riordan. “That is what will truly make me happy.”

Riordan believes the skills he learned at UTI-Avondale and NASCAR Tech will allow him to do whatever he chooses to.

For now, he’s completely content being on the other side of the hood, steering futures.

For more information about UTI-Avondale and NASCAR Tech, please visit: www.uti.edu, and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.