McLean won the 1997 and 1998 Privateers’ Cup in the Australian Super Touring Championship.

In 1999 he moved to the V8 Supercars category with Greenfield Mowers Racing, winning the Privateers award in the 1999 Shell Championship Series.

For 2001 and 2002, he drove for private team Paragon Motorsports, but was never able to land a full-time drive with a professional outfit.

His best V8 Supercar result came in the 2004 Sandown 500 where he finished second for Stone Brothers Racing, driving with Russell Ingall.

McLean also finished fourth in the 2001 Bathurst 1000 with Greg Ritter, driving for Dick Johnson Racing.