Bob Burdick
Encyclopedia
Bob Burdick was a NASCAR
driver from Omaha
, Nebraska
. He competed in fifteen Grand National Series events in his career. His win in Atlanta in 1961 made him the only Nebraska
-born driver to win a race on the NASCAR circuit.
Burdick made his debut in 1959, where he won the pole at Trenton Speedway
in his first career NASCAR start. Although a fire took Burdick out of the event early, he earned his first career top-10 finish with a 9th place effort in the next race at Nashville Speedway USA. After a crash at Atlanta Motor Speedway
, Burdick ended the year with finishes of 6th, 6th and 2nd, including a pole at Columbia Speedway
. During the entire year, Burdick led 25 laps (when he finished 2nd at Darlington) and never started worse than 9th. In addition, the 21st place finish in points was Burdick's career best.
Burdick had a scant schedule in 1960, only competing in two events, both at Daytona International Speedway
. Burdick made it into the prestigious Daytona 500
field after finishing 7th in the qualifier race (the Daytona qualifiers were points races until 1971), but only managed to finish 60th in the actual 500.
Burdick was able to rebound in 1961, finishing in the top-ten (8th) once again in the Daytona qualifier event. After another dismal finish in the 500, Burdick made up for it at Atlanta Motor Speedway
. Burdick led 43 of the 334 laps and held off Rex White
for Burdick's lone career victory. Following the triumph, Burdick ended the year with a 4th place at Darlington Speedway and 27th at Charlotte Motor Speedway
, now named Lowe's Motor Speedway
.
Burdick once again was left to the Daytona races in 1962, as his career wound down. He finished 7th in the qualifying race, his final career top-ten, easily making the Daytona 500. Burdick then had a dismal 35th place finish in the 500, and never again made another Cup event.
On October 4, 2007, Burdick died. http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1200&u_sid=10151051
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
driver from Omaha
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
, Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
. He competed in fifteen Grand National Series events in his career. His win in Atlanta in 1961 made him the only Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
-born driver to win a race on the NASCAR circuit.
Burdick made his debut in 1959, where he won the pole at Trenton Speedway
Trenton Speedway
Trenton Speedway was a racing facility located near Trenton, New Jersey at the New Jersey State Fairgrounds. Races for the United States' premier open-wheel and full-bodied racing series of the times were held at Trenton Speedway.-Racing history:...
in his first career NASCAR start. Although a fire took Burdick out of the event early, he earned his first career top-10 finish with a 9th place effort in the next race at Nashville Speedway USA. After a crash at Atlanta Motor Speedway
Atlanta Motor Speedway
Atlanta Motor Speedway is a track just outside Hampton, Georgia, twenty miles south of Atlanta. It is a quad-oval track with a seating capacity of over 125,000. It opened in 1960 as a standard oval. In 1994, 46 condominiums were built over the northeastern side of the track...
, Burdick ended the year with finishes of 6th, 6th and 2nd, including a pole at Columbia Speedway
Columbia Speedway
Columbia Speedway was an oval racetrack located in Cayce, a suburb of Columbia, South Carolina. It was the site of auto races for NASCAR's top series from 1951 through 1971. For most of its history, the racing surface was dirt. The races in April and August 1970 were two of the final three Grand...
. During the entire year, Burdick led 25 laps (when he finished 2nd at Darlington) and never started worse than 9th. In addition, the 21st place finish in points was Burdick's career best.
Burdick had a scant schedule in 1960, only competing in two events, both at Daytona International Speedway
Daytona International Speedway
Daytona International Speedway is a race track in Daytona Beach, Florida, United States. Since opening in 1959, it has been the home of the Daytona 500, one of the most prestigious races in NASCAR. In addition to NASCAR, the track also hosts races of ARCA, AMA Superbike, Grand-Am and Motocross...
. Burdick made it into the prestigious Daytona 500
Daytona 500
The Daytona 500 is a -long NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race held annually at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. It is one of four restrictor plate races on the Cup schedule....
field after finishing 7th in the qualifier race (the Daytona qualifiers were points races until 1971), but only managed to finish 60th in the actual 500.
Burdick was able to rebound in 1961, finishing in the top-ten (8th) once again in the Daytona qualifier event. After another dismal finish in the 500, Burdick made up for it at Atlanta Motor Speedway
Atlanta Motor Speedway
Atlanta Motor Speedway is a track just outside Hampton, Georgia, twenty miles south of Atlanta. It is a quad-oval track with a seating capacity of over 125,000. It opened in 1960 as a standard oval. In 1994, 46 condominiums were built over the northeastern side of the track...
. Burdick led 43 of the 334 laps and held off Rex White
Rex White
Rex White is a retired American auto racer and NASCAR champion. White was one of the drivers who competed for the original Chevrolet racing team. He began racing in 1956, grabbing fourteen top-ten finishes. After a part-time run in 1957, White won twice in 1958...
for Burdick's lone career victory. Following the triumph, Burdick ended the year with a 4th place at Darlington Speedway and 27th at Charlotte Motor Speedway
Charlotte Motor Speedway
Charlotte Motor Speedway is a motorsports complex located in Concord, North Carolina, United States 13 miles from Charlotte, North Carolina. The complex features a quad oval track that hosts NASCAR racing including the prestigious Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend and the Sprint All-Star Race...
, now named Lowe's Motor Speedway
Lowe's Motor Speedway
Charlotte Motor Speedway is a motorsports complex located in Concord, North Carolina, United States 13 miles from Charlotte, North Carolina. The complex features a quad oval track that hosts NASCAR racing including the prestigious Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend and the Sprint All-Star Race...
.
Burdick once again was left to the Daytona races in 1962, as his career wound down. He finished 7th in the qualifying race, his final career top-ten, easily making the Daytona 500. Burdick then had a dismal 35th place finish in the 500, and never again made another Cup event.
On October 4, 2007, Burdick died. http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1200&u_sid=10151051