Career
Blackburn"s father owned and operated the Fayetteville, North Carolina racetrack. He later competed at historic Nashville Speedway United States of America against many future legendary drivers. In 1967 he was part of a three driver crew that set a world speed record of 174 mph in a Smokey Yunkick Z-28 Camaro at the Bonneville Salt Flats in a Universal Service Administrative Company/FIA event.
He drove Cup racecars from the late 1950s to the early 1970s for Smokey Yunick and Petty Enterprises.
He took Johnson"s car to the lead with 5 laps to go after Fireball Roberts ran out of gas. Bunkie also ran out of gas on the final lap to hand the victory to David Pearson.
He retired after a racing injury.