Renowned dirt racing figure Scott Bloomquist meets unfortunate end in aircraft accident at age sixty.
A small prop plane, a Piper J-3 model, smashed into a barn around 7:50 a.m. on a Friday, as per the Federal Aviation Administration's report. This vintage aircraft belonged to Bloomquist and met its end at his family farm, as revealed by family friend Reid Millard, who reported this on behalf of Bloomquist's mother, Georgie.
Hawkins County Mayor, Mark DeWitte, later confirmed that Bloomquist had perished in the Friday crash. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are currently probing the incident.
During his illustrious career, Bloomquist bagged nine national championships and recorded over 600 victories across various touring series since his debut in 1980, as mentioned by World of Outlaws.
He was honored with the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame inductee title in 2002.
Brian Carter, World Racing Group's CEO, expressed, "Scott Bloomquist's legendary status wasn't solely based on his on-track achievements but also the innovations he introduced within the dirt late model industry."
Bloomquist played a significant role in rebuilding the World of Outlaws Late Models, allowing it to flourish into its current form. His impact also extended to the transformation of racetracks and chassis over the years. Bloomquist's passion for the sport and innovative spirit will be deeply missed by all, Carter added.
Bloomquist was commiserated within the racing community on the day of his demise.
Tony Stewart, a four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing, referred to Bloomquist as "one of a kind," and one of the sharpest individuals he's ever come across in the realms of dirt racing.
"Scott Bloomquist was one of a kind, and he's probably the smartest guy I've ever met when it comes to dirt racing," Stewart claimed. "His driving skills matched his ingenious approach to building his racecars. He was a dominating force on the track and off, with a personality as large as his list of accomplishments. His absence will be greatly missed."
Former NASCAR racer, Clint Bowyer, lamented, "Sad to hear about Scott Bloomquist's demise. His story is endless! You can't encapsulate his life into just one movie, it'll require a series."
After achieving numerous victories and accolades throughout his career, Scott Bloomquist was known for his passion and innovative spirit in the world of dirt late model racing. His impact on the sport and the industry will continue to be felt, as the racing community mourns his loss.
Scott Bloomquist's achievements on the track, including his nine national championships and over 600 victories, made him a legendary figure in the sport of dirt late model racing.