Famed dirt racing driver Scott Bloomquist has died at the age of 60 in a plane crash near his family home in Tennessee.
“Scott Bloomquist was a great friend of mine along with a lot of people in the Dirt Late Model ... and racing community,” Reid Millard wrote on behalf of Bloomquist’s mother, Georgie.
Tributes began pouring in across social media from drivers and racing experts alike, with four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Tony Stewart calling him “one of a kind.”
“What he could do behind the wheel of a racecar was matched by the ingenuity he put into building his racecars. He was a force on the track and off, with a personality as big as his list of accomplishments. He made dirt racing better with a presence that will be greatly missed.”
Early Career
Bloomquist was born in Iowa, but later relocated to California, where he continued to reside throughout his life and was able to pursue a racing career. His family eventually wanted to move east and purchased the farm in Tennessee.While racing was his passion, Bloomquist, being the son of an airline pilot, also found skill in flying himself.
Making his professional debut as a racer in 1980, Bloomquist went on to become a three-time champion of the Lucas Oil Late Model and winner of 33 World of Outlaws Late Model races.
Throughout a number of touring series in his career, Bloomquist won nine national championships and garnered more than 600 victories.
He also had a vast knowledge of cars themselves, being able to take apart a vehicle and put it back together himself.
Despite the various injuries he sustained throughout his races over the years, Bloomquist made headway in the racing industry to become a long-lasting favorite.
![Scott Bloomquist drives the #51 ToyotaCare Toyota during practice for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series inaugural Mudsummer Classic in Rossburg, Ohio, on July 23, 2013. (Tom Pennington/Getty Images)](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimg.theepochtimes.com%2Fassets%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F08%2F18%2Fid5707649-GettyImages-174297686-1200x789.jpg&w=1200&q=75)
He was inducted into the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame in 2002, gaining legendary status for his accomplishments and innovations throughout the dirt late model industry.
“His influences also helped the evolution of racetracks and chassis over the years. Bloomquist’s passion for the sport and innovative mind will be deeply missed by all.”
In 2020, he also won the Thunder Mountain Speedway in Pennsylvania and recently had plans to compete in next month’s World 100 at Eldora Speedway.