Scott Bloomquist, a revered figure in dirt track racing, is believed to be the only victim of a fatal crash involving a vintage single-engine plane on his family farm in Tennessee on Friday morning. He was 60 years old.
NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace hailed Bloomquist as “the greatest dirt racer to ever live” following the tragic news. The Hawkins County Sheriff’s Office stated that the remains found at the scene are “believed to be that of Scott Bloomquist,” with official identification pending from county forensic specialists.
Reid Millard, the owner of Moberly Motorsports Park in Missouri, shared on Facebook that the crash occurred at the Bloomquist family farm in Mooresburg, Tennessee. The Hawkins County Rescue Squad received a report of the incident at 7:47 a.m. on Brooks Road, close to the Scott Bloomquist Racing facility.
According to reports, the plane crashed into a barn, igniting a fire. A body was extracted from the wreckage and sent to forensic investigators. The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that only the pilot was aboard the Piper J3C-65 Cub, a model first introduced in 1937.
Nick Graziano, a dirt track racer and journalist, noted that Bloomquist was 60 years old and referenced his upcoming return to racing in March. Bloomquist was inducted into the Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame in 2002 and had numerous accolades, including multiple championships in the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series and World of Outlaws.
Dirt track racing has been a cornerstone of motorsport since the 1920s, featuring various vehicle types, including winged sprint cars and stock cars, the latter of which Bloomquist was known for driving. These races demand constant focus on steering and acceleration, making them a challenge even for the most skilled drivers.
Bloomquist launched his racing career in California before relocating to Tennessee for farming and to pursue his racing ambitions. NASCAR’s Tony Stewart expressed his admiration for Bloomquist, stating he was “one of a kind” and a genius behind the wheel. Similarly, Wallace conveyed his sadness, calling Bloomquist the “smartest dirt racer of all time.”
Bloomquist had plans to increase his participation in racing after a limited schedule in recent years, according to the Hunt the Front Super Dirt Series announcement from March, though it remains unclear if he was able to fulfill those plans.
Millard extended his condolences, saying, “Along with Scott’s daughter Ariel, his parents, his sister, and all who loved Scott— you are in our hearts and prayers.” He concluded with a heartfelt message: “God’s speed Scott. May you fly high on an Eagle’s wing forever.”