Gahan Wins New England Region Title

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Sept. 16, 1998)

Bobby Gahan of Barrington, N.H., garnered the 1998 NASCAR Winston Racing Series New England Region championship during NASCAR's 50th Anniversary season, which for Gahan is appropriate. Gahan, 49, has steered entries bearing the No. 50 throughout a racing career that began in 1967, one year after his father, Ernie Gahan, annexed NASCAR's 1966 national Modified championship driving his No. 50.

"It's kind of neat to win this title at Lee USA Speedway since I won my first big race there, the 100-lap Don MacTavish Memorial back in 1969 when my cars were numbered 50Jr.," said Gahan.

But for Gahan the NASCAR Winston Racing Series is much more than a sport he enjoys on the weekends, it's his life. NASCAR racing is the 49-year-old veteran's profession as well, and the $39,500 in winnings will go a long way in New Hampshire's cold winter months.

"My father was a national Modified champion, and I really got into the sport through him," said Gahan. "I've just kept it up. About 15 years ago I started racing and building cars full time, and the NASCAR Winston Racing Series turned out to be the best thing for me. This championship is a tribute to the winning tradition I learned from my dad. With hard work, some luck and a great crew this championship is possible."

Before this year Gahan has finished second, third, fourth and sixth competing for the regional championship.

"The competition is very tight around here," said Gahan. "We have to work our way through the pack most of the time, and I didn't think we could do it. The team and I worked very hard together, and our sponsorship through NAPA auto parts helped too. You work for it and just hope you get it."

Gahan's successful quest for a regional championship culminated five miles from his Barrington home at the third-mile Lee USA Speedway, where he won six of 18 Pro Stock events, registered eight top-five finishes and never finished worse than seventh.

"Obviously, you don't win six features and finish every race without help, so my crew deserves to share this honor with me," said Gahan. The senior member of Gahan's crew and the mother of their two daughters, his wife Carol, shared a second 1998 milestone with the New England Region champion after the couple recently became proud grandparents.

In addition to competing at Lee USA Speedway on Friday nights, Gahan spends his Saturday nights racing at Star Speedway in Epping, N.H., where, during 1998, he won four features and his third NASCAR Winston Racing Series Pro Stock track championship on the quarter-mile. Gahan also tops the all-time win column in Pro Stock competition at Star as well as at Lee USA.

"I have to stay in the top-three to top-five every week to keep the operation going," said Gahan. "It gives you that extra little driving force each weekend. This regional championship not only makes all the work worthwhile, but the check from Winston and all the series sponsors will make it much easier for me to get through the winter and prepare for next year."

Source: NASCAR Online