08/27/2017 – While the name Erick Erickson does not evoke any great NASCAR accomplishment or deed in the mind of most NASCAR aficionados, it should for Pontiac fans as the melodically named Erickson was the first Pontiac driver to attain a top-5 finish in NASCAR’s premier series (this was Erickson’s first career Cup start).
Racing on April 8, 1951, in his home state of California at Carrell Speedway’s .5-mile dirt track in Gardena, Erickson finished 5th in his self-owned Advanced Electric 1948 Pontiac after starting 13th.
Pontiac actually had 2 cars in this race, the other driver being Les Bomar who finished 14th after starting 18th in his self-owned V-Gap Spark Plugs 1949 Pontiac
- Historical Note 1 – Pontiac’s first Cup top-5 finish/first top-5 dirt track finish.
- Historical Note 2 – Pontiac’s first Cup race at Carrell Speedway.
Pontiac Racing 