Robert Wayne "Bob" Burcham, Sr. (August 22, 1935 – April 10, 2009) was a NASCAR

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...

 Winston Cup Series driver whose career spanned from 1968 to 1979. His primary ride was the #19 Belden Asphalt-sponsored Chevrolet

Chevrolet

Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918...

 of Mr. Henley Gray

Henley Gray

Henley Gray is a retired NASCAR Winston Cup Series driver whose career spanned from 1964 to 1977.-Summary:...

. Jack White was Burcham's other employer in NASCAR.

Summary

His parents were Mr. Robert "Bobby" and Mrs. Opal Burcham; they lived near the interstate border

Border

Borders define geographic boundaries of political entities or legal jurisdictions, such as governments, sovereign states, federated states and other subnational entities. Some borders—such as a state's internal administrative borders, or inter-state borders within the Schengen Area—are open and...

 that divided Georgia and Tennessee

Tennessee

Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...

. Burcham's father was a service station

Service station

Service station may refer to:* Filling station, a gasoline or petrol station* Automobile repair shop, a place where automobiles are repaired* Rest area, a public facility on motorways or controlled-access highways for resting or refuelling...

 operator and Bob learned the secrets of the trade from him. He managed to lead two laps out of 7548 that he raced - for a grand total of 10955.3 miles (17,630.8 km). Amazingly enough, Burcham's first Winston Cup Series ride was with a 1973 Chevrolet Chevelle

Chevrolet Chevelle

The Chevrolet Chevelle is a mid-sized automobile produced by the Chevrolet division of General Motors in three generations for the 1964 through 1977 model years. Part of the GM A-Body platform, the Chevelle was one of Chevrolet's most successful nameplates. Body styles include coupes, sedans,...

; which saw some action 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...

 and a few other race tracks. Most of his "top ten" finishes were in the 1974 Winston Cup Series season. A fourth place finish in Nashville during the 1974 season was his best finish. After NASCAR, Burcham was self-employed in real estate

Real estate

In general use, esp. North American, 'real estate' is taken to mean "Property consisting of land and the buildings on it, along with its natural resources such as crops, minerals, or water; immovable property of this nature; an interest vested in this; an item of real property; buildings or...

. A total amount of $65,578 in total earnings ($ in today's money) was earned by Burcham after starting an average of 25th place and finishing an average of 20th place in his NASCAR Cup Series career.

He has a widow named Jean Knight Burcham in addition to his married daughter Vickie Jean and his son Bobby Burcham, Jr.. In 2009, Burcham was elected into the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame.