Scott Bloomquist: Dirt racing icon dead after plane crash in Hawkins County

Dirt racing icon Scott Bloomquist dies in plane crash at age 60

Late model dirt racing luminary, Scott Bloomquist, tragically perished in a plane crash near his residence in Mooresburg, Tennessee, as confirmed by local authorities. He was 60 years old.

The fatal incident involved a single-engine Piper J-3, which collided with a barn around 7:50 a.m. on Friday, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The vintage aircraft, owned by Bloomquist, met its end on his family farm. The news was publicly shared by Reid Millard, a close family friend, on behalf of Bloomquist’s mother, Georgie.

Hawkins County Mayor, Mark DeWitte, later corroborated Bloomquist’s death in the crash. The FAA, alongside the National Transportation Safety Board, has initiated an investigation into the cause of the crash.

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Throughout his illustrious career, secured nine national championships and amassed over 600 victories across various touring series since his debut in 1980, as recorded by the World of Outlaws.

In 2002, Bloomquist earned his rightful place in the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame. His journey in racing began as the son of an Air Cal pilot. While stationed in California, Bloomquist’s father was invited by a coworker to witness a stock car race. Intrigued, he decided to try racing himself, purchasing a race car, engine, and some used tires. After a brief stint behind the wheel, he passed the car on to his son, Scott. Bloomquist’s first race took place at Corona Raceway in Corona, California, in August 1980, where he quickly made a name for himself, winning several races and securing the track championship by 1982.

Scott Bloomquist :

In 1983, Bloomquist learned of a lucrative $4,000-to-win race at the speedway in Chula Vista, California. Inspired by a photo of a flat-wedge-shaped race car that Charlie Swartz had driven to victory at the 1982 Dirt Track World Championship, Bloomquist decided to construct a similar car for the Chula Vista event. His efforts paid off, as he not only won the race but also lapped the field twice in the process.

Following his victory, Bloomquist’s father, recognizing the car’s value, wanted to sell it. However, the two struck a deal: Scott would gradually pay for the car by working on his father’s new farm in Tennessee. Bloomquist traded his 1957 Chevy for a truck and race hauler and set off for Tennessee. Although his first outing at Newport Speedway resulted in a wrecked car during qualifying, Bloomquist worked tirelessly on the farm until he could afford the repairs. His perseverance paid off as he continued to win races, earning just enough to keep his racing dream alive.

The following year, Bloomquist decided to compete with a new car at Kingsport, Tennessee Speedway, which had recently introduced a $2,500-to-win event every Saturday night. Recalling the experience, Bloomquist said, “I arrived at the race with my dad, and there was Larry Moore, the fastest guy in dirt late model racing. My dad said, ‘Well, there goes that $2,500.'” Despite the formidable competition, Bloomquist qualified second fastest, lining up next to Moore on the front row.

Bloomquist’s winnings enabled him to further enhance his race car. He continued to work on his father’s farm to pay off his original race car while venturing to races with $2,000 purses, some as far as 100 miles from his home.

In 1988, Bloomquist entered the World 100 at Eldora Speedway, facing off against three-time winner and heavy favorite Jeff Purvis. Despite being a rookie, Bloomquist qualified for the feature race, an uncommon feat. Starting seventh, he gradually caught up to Purvis, eventually overtaking him to claim victory. Although some initially dismissed his win as a fluke, Bloomquist silenced doubters by securing the pole position the following year and winning the race again in 1990.

Bloomquist competed in the Hav-A-Tampa series from 1993 to 1996, winning the national touring series in 1994 and 1995. He led the 1996 points standings until a penalty for bumping another car under caution cost him all his points. During his time in the series, Bloomquist recorded 60 wins, with the second-place driver managing just 18 victories.

“Scott Bloomquist’s legendary status was not just built on his track achievements but also on his contributions to the dirt late model industry,” remarked Brian Carter, CEO of the World Racing Group. “He played a pivotal role in revitalizing the World of Outlaws Late Models, helping the series evolve into what it is today. Bloomquist’s influence extended to the evolution of racetracks and chassis over the years. His passion for the sport and innovative spirit will be sorely missed.”

On Friday, the racing community collectively mourned the loss of the Hall of Famer.

Tony Stewart, four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing, described Bloomquist as “one of a kind” and one of the most intelligent individuals he had encountered in the world of dirt racing.

“Scott Bloomquist was one of a kind, and he’s probably the smartest guy I’ve ever been around when it comes to dirt racing,” Stewart said. “What he could do behind the wheel of a racecar was only rivaled by the ingenuity he applied to building his racecars. He was a formidable force both on and off the track, with a personality as large as his list of accomplishments. Dirt racing is better for having had him, and his presence will be greatly missed.”

Former NASCAR driver Clint Bowyer also expressed his sadness at Bloomquist’s passing, stating, “It’s heartbreaking to hear of Scott Bloomquist’s death. The stories about him are endless. You couldn’t fit his life into just one movie—it would require a series.”