| Ernie Gahan (October 12, 1926 - November 26, 2009) is a former NASCAR driver from Dover, NH. He competed in eleven Sprint Cup Series events in his career, earning two top-tens.
Gahan's debut came in 1960, when he competed at Martinsville. Starting 32nd in the field of thirty-seven, Gahan was poised for a possible run into the top-ten before a rear end gear issue bit him late, leaving him 15th. He was able to improve on that a little later in the year, driving to a 13th place finish in the inaugural World 600 at Charlotte.
Gahan's busiest year would be the next, doing a five-race schedule in 1961. He struggled early in the year, finishing a mediocre 23rd in the Daytona 500 qualifier event and then 57th in the big race. He would also DNF at Spartanburg, crashing late in the race. But Gahan had been running so well in the Spartanburg race that he still managed to finish 6th, a career-best. After that he rounded out the year well, finishing 16th at Martinsville and 11th at Norwood.
Gahan's best points year would be in 1962, finishing 45th after a three-race schedule. It made sense - it was a good year for Gahan. He ran much better at Daytona, finishing 9th in the Qualifier event and then driving to a solid 12th place finish in the Daytona 500. He also recorded a 19th place run at Richmond despite a rear end gear issue.
Gahan's final race would have to wait until 1966, competing at Oxford Plains. Starting last (27th), Gahan fell out of the race just past the hundred lap mark and finished 19th.
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