Scott Bloomquist, a legendary figure in dirt track racing, tragically became the sole victim in a single-engine, vintage plane crash on the Bloomquist family farm in Mooresburg, Tennessee, early Friday morning. He was 60 years old.
Renowned NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace paid tribute to Bloomquist on Friday, calling him “the greatest dirt racer to ever live.” This sentiment underscores Bloomquist’s remarkable impact on the world of dirt track racing.
The Hawkins County Sheriff’s Office confirmed in a statement that the remains found at the crash site are “believed to be that of Scott Bloomquist,” although official identification will be finalized by county forensics officials.
Reid Millard, owner of Moberly Motorsports Park in Moberly, Missouri, shared the news on Facebook, stating that the crash occurred on the Bloomquist family farm. According to Millard, the incident was reported to the Hawkins County Rescue Squad at 7:47 a.m. on Brooks Road, close to the location of Scott Bloomquist Racing, which encompasses the driver’s organization, team, shop, and merchandise store.
The crash resulted in the plane hitting a barn, which subsequently caught fire. The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that only the pilot was aboard the aircraft, a Piper J3C-65 Cub. The National Transportation Safety Board, which is spearheading the investigation into the crash, noted that the Piper J3C-65 Cub is a vintage model that first appeared in 1937 and was used by the U.S. Army during World War II.
Bloomquist, who was 60 years old, was widely celebrated in the dirt track racing community. He was inducted into the Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame in 2002 and amassed an impressive list of achievements throughout his career. These include multiple championships in the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series (2009, 2010, 2016), the World of Outlaws (2004), and the DIRTcar Summer Nationals (1990, 1991, 2002). He also holds the record for the most wins in both the Hav-A-Tampa Series and the Lucas Oil Series.
Dirt track racing, which has been around since the 1920s, features two primary vehicle types: the tall, winged, open-wheel sprint cars and the more traditionally bodied stock cars, or “late model” cars, which Bloomquist drove. This form of racing demands exceptional skill and attention, as drivers constantly manage balance and traction while navigating short tracks.
Bloomquist began his racing career in California but later moved to Tennessee to help on the family farm while continuing his racing career. Despite his shift to Tennessee, he remained a prominent figure in the racing world, known for his extraordinary driving skills and innovative approach to car building.
NASCAR icon Tony Stewart praised Bloomquist on social media platform X, describing him as “one of a kind” and highlighting his exceptional ingenuity both behind the wheel and in his approach to car design. Wallace echoed this sentiment, expressing profound sadness and recognizing Bloomquist as “the smartest dirt racer of all time.”
In March, Bloomquist was set to make a fuller return to dirt track racing, beyond his occasional appearances in recent years. It is unclear whether he managed to return to the sport before his untimely passing.
Millard, reflecting on the loss, extended his condolences to Bloomquist’s family, including his daughter Ariel, his parents, and his sister. He concluded with a heartfelt message: “God’s speed Scott. May you fly high on an Eagle’s wing forever.”
