10 Facts About Bob Burman

Bob Burman was an open-wheel pioneer, setting numerous speed records in the early 1900s.

Bob Burman participated in many historic races and was one of the drivers to compete in the first edition of the Indianapolis 500 in 1911.

Bob Burman won the Prest-O-Lite Trophy Race, a precursor to the Indianapolis 500, in his Buick in 1909.

Bob Burman finished first in the 1909 Vesper Club Trophy Race driving for the Buick team and fourth in the 1909 Lowell Trophy Race.

Bob Burman competed at the first ever 1911 Indianapolis 500 in a Benz, before the race he made exhibition runs in the Blitzen Benz on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and set speed records at the quarter mile, half mile, kilometer and mile distances.

Bob Burman was crowned speed king before the start of the race.

Bob Burman competed in the 1912 Indianapolis 500, crashing his Cutting at the second turn after 157 laps.

Bob Burman started the 1913 Indianapolis 500 as the favorite, and led 41 laps early, but his car caught fire on lap 55; he was able to repair his Keeton and continued for a while, but eventually did not finish the race.

Bob Burman's death caused his friends Barney Oldfield and Harry Arminius Miller to join forces to build a race car that incorporated a roll cage inside a streamlined driver's compartment that completely enclosed the driver.

Bob Burman was inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 2011.