Scott Bloomquist, a renowned dirt track race car driver celebrated for his bold personality and exceptional skills, passed away on Friday in a plane crash on his family’s farm in Mooresburg, Tennessee, as reported by friends and local authorities.
At 60 years old, Bloomquist was easily recognizable with his long hair and a race car adorned with the number zero and a skull and crossbones. His reputation as a top competitor in the sport was well-deserved.
Jerry Caldwell, president and manager of Bristol Motor Speedway, remarked that Bloomquist was “arguably the greatest dirt late model racer in the sport’s history.” Fellow racer Tony Stewart praised him as “probably the smartest guy I’ve ever been around when it comes to dirt racing,” highlighting Bloomquist’s ability behind the wheel and his innovative approach to building race cars.
The Hawkins County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Bloomquist was the sole occupant of the plane that crashed into a barn. The National Transportation Safety Board announced it is working with the Federal Aviation Administration to investigate the incident involving the Piper J3C-65.
Reid Millard, a fellow racer and funeral home director in Missouri, shared on Facebook that Bloomquist’s mother requested he announce the tragic news. He extended his thoughts and prayers to Bloomquist’s family and friends.
In the world of dirt track racing, drivers must steer right to make the car go left. This requires unique handling techniques, especially during turns. These specialized cars, weighing approximately 2,300 pounds and producing over 800 horsepower, can reach speeds close to 150 mph at tracks like Eldora Speedway, owned by Stewart.
The race cars feature two-speed transmissions and lack windshields, with only short plastic shields to protect drivers from flying debris. As Gerald Newton, president of the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame, described, the sport is a physically demanding and competitive environment, where “rubbing is racing.”
Bloomquist was inducted into the hall of fame in 2002 and was remembered fondly by Newton, who had known him for nearly 40 years and designed his official merchandise. Bloomquist’s journey into racing began with a car his father once owned, which he later inherited after his father lost interest.
As a racer, Bloomquist was known not only for his success but also for his confident and rebellious persona, encapsulated by the skull design in his race car’s number. He was comically compared to celebrity Tom Cruise by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, noting his competitive edge and charismatic personality reminiscent of NASCAR driver Darrell Waltrip.
Newton reflected on Bloomquist’s philosophy, stating, “It’s not boasting or bragging if it’s fact and you can back it up,” and Bloomquist certainly did during his career.
His achievements in the racing world, according to Newton, may never be matched. “The world has lost a great racer, a great friend, a great dad,” he said. “And heaven has gained a great angel.”
Despite suffering various injuries throughout his career, Bloomquist remained dedicated to racing and was looking forward to competing in next month’s World 100 at Eldora Speedway, maintaining faith in his ability to win.