- Bloomquist was reported to be flying an antique plane near his family’s farm.
- He won more than 600 races over his 40-year career, mostly on dirt tracks.
Dirt racing legend Scott Bloomquist died Friday morning in a plane crash.
He was piloting a vintage single-engine Piper J3 when it crashed into a barn on his family’s farm in Tennessee. Bloomquist was the only person on board.
“Unidentified remains believed to be Scott Bloomquist, of Mooresburg, were found on the plane,” read a statement from the Hawkins County Sheriff’s Office. “A positive identification will be made by the Coroner’s Department.”
Bloomquist won more than 600 races over his 40-year career, the majority of which were spent driving Late Models on dirt tracks. He is best known for winning nine national championships and the World of Outlaws Late Model Series title in 2004. Most recently, he won the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series.
‘RIP Bloomer’ began trending on X after news of Bloomquist’s death surfaced online.
Scott Bloomquist (0) is photographed during a dirt track race in South Carolina in 2014
Bloomquist was flying a single-engine Piper similar to the aircraft shown here.
He is survived by his daughter, Ariel.
“Scott Bloomquist was different, unique. He was the best dirt racer that ever lived,” says NASCAR and dirt track legend Kenny Wallace told TimesNews.com.
“He was the smartest dirt racer of all time. He built and designed his own race cars. He won every crown jewel that ever existed. This was simply not something he could do.”
There were more reactions on social media.
“Nothing can prepare you for a day like today,” read a post on Scott Bloomquist Racing’s Facebook page. “It is with a heavy heart that we have to share the news that today we lost our great friend and hero. Whether you cheered or booed, you always made noise and Scott loved you all equally for that.
‘A loving father, a great son, a man who loved his friends and family, and last but not least, a great driver.’
Scott Bloomquist (0) Ford Mustang during practice for the 16th annual Grassy Smith Memorial 50-lap Lucas Oil Dirt Late Model Series event at Cherokee Speedway
Many fans reacted to Bloomquist’s death on Facebook.
“Best thing ever was do it your way, thanks for the lasting memories in dirt racing, rest easy,” read one comment.
“A great driver and a great person too,” added another fan. “Rest in peace, champion.”
For the uninitiated, a Late Model race car is a full-bodied vehicle that typically races on dirt tracks. It is generally considered the highest class of local stock car racing and a vital stepping stone to a career in NASCAR.
In fact, Bloomquist also raced in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
Bloomquist was born in Iowa and grew up mostly in California until his father became a pilot and worked in East Tennessee. Eventually, as Bloomquist explained in a 2020 interview, he decided he wanted to settle in the Volunteer State.
“I remembered how much I loved the hills,” he said. “I love to fish. I have a couple of ponds and I live on Cherokee Lake. I don’t like traffic jams or places where there are too many people. I like the country. I travel a lot and there are very few places I can imagine living other than here.”