Racing Legend Scott Bloomquist Dies in Plane Crash Near Mooresburg Home

 Racing Legend Scott Bloomquist Dies in Plane Crash Near Mooresburg Home

Legendary Racer Scott Bloomquist Tragically Killed in Plane Crash Near His Tennessee Home

Scott Bloomquist, an iconic figure in dirt track racing, tragically lost his life on Friday morning in a small aircraft crash near his home in the Mooresburg community of Hawkins County, Tennessee. The 60-year-old racing legend was the sole occupant of the plane, which crashed into a barn on his property.

Racing Legend Scott Bloomquist Dies in Plane Crash Near Mooresburg Home

The Fatal Incident

According to Hawkins County Sheriff Ronnie Lawson, Bloomquist, who owned a private airstrip at his home, was flying a two-seat 1938 Piper Cub J3C-65 aircraft when the crash occurred. Emergency services were dispatched to Bloomquist's residence at 209 Brooks Road at 7:50 a.m. after reports of fire and thick black smoke. Upon arrival, responders found the plane wreckage and confirmed that Bloomquist had died at the scene.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records revealed that Bloomquist was not a licensed pilot and that the plane he was flying had not been licensed since 2012. The circumstances surrounding the crash are still under investigation, but the news of Bloomquist's passing has sent shockwaves through the racing community and beyond.

A Storied Racing Career

Born in Iowa and later moving to California, Scott Bloomquist's journey into racing began at a young age. His father, an airline pilot, bought a car that sparked Bloomquist's passion for racing. After the family relocated to Tennessee, Bloomquist's racing career took off in the early 1980s. His first race was at Corona Raceway in California in 1980, and by 1982, he had won several races and claimed the track championship.

In 1983, Bloomquist moved to Mooresburg, Tennessee, to work on his father's farm and began competing in larger purse races within a 100-mile radius of his home. Throughout the 1980s, he became a local sensation at Kingsport Speedway. However, it was in 1988 that Bloomquist stunned the racing world by winning the prestigious World 100 at Eldora Speedway, a feat he repeated in 1990.

Bloomquist's career was marked by an impressive list of accomplishments. He was a four-time Hav-A-Tampa Dirt Late Model Series Champion (1994, 1995, 1998, 2000) and a three-time Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Champion (2009, 2010, 2016). Additionally, he was crowned the World of Outlaws Late Model Series Champion in 2004 and won the Dirt Late Model Dream eight times between 1995 and 2018. His victories in the World 100 spanned from 1988 to 2014, solidifying his status as one of the greatest dirt track racers in history.

In 2002, Bloomquist was inducted into the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame, an honor that recognized his incredible impact on the sport.

A Personality Larger Than Life

Bloomquist was known not only for his racing prowess but also for his bold personality. Often described as cocky and a "bad boy" of the sport, he embraced a persona that was reflected in the skull symbol painted inside the zero on his race car. His confidence was well-earned, and he famously said, "It's not boasting or bragging if it's fact and you can back it up," a philosophy he lived by throughout his career.

In 2000, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution described him as someone who "looks like Tom Cruise, drives like Dale Earnhardt, and speaks out like Darrell Waltrip." Bloomquist's ability to dominate on the track and his outspoken nature off the track made him a polarizing figure, but one who was undeniably respected by his peers and fans alike.

Tributes Pour In

Following the news of Bloomquist's death, tributes from the racing community began pouring in. The Scott Bloomquist Racing Facebook page posted a heartfelt message: "Nothing can prepare you for a day like today. With heavy hearts, we have to share the news that we have lost our great friend and hero today. Whether you cheered for him or booed for him, you still 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, one hell of a wheel man."

Jerry Caldwell, president and general manager of Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee, called Bloomquist "arguably the greatest dirt late model racer in the sport's history." Fellow racer Tony Stewart also paid tribute, describing Bloomquist as "probably the smartest guy I've ever been around when it comes to dirt racing." Stewart praised Bloomquist's ingenuity in building race cars and his unmatched skills behind the wheel, stating that he was "a force on the track and off, with a personality as big as his list of accomplishments."

Reid Millard, a fellow race car driver and funeral home director in Missouri, shared that Bloomquist's mother had asked him to announce the tragic news. He expressed his condolences to Bloomquist's family and friends, saying, "Along with Scott’s daughter Ariel, his parents, his sister, and all of you who knew and loved Scott, you are in our hearts and prayers."

Gerald Newton, president of the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame, reflected on his nearly 40-year friendship with Bloomquist. He described him as a brother-like figure and a legend whose accolades "will never be exceeded." Newton shared that Bloomquist was still planning to compete in the upcoming World 100 at Eldora Speedway, highlighting his enduring passion for racing even in his later years.

A Legacy That Will Endure

Scott Bloomquist's death is a profound loss to the racing world. His contributions to dirt track racing, his larger-than-life personality, and his unwavering dedication to the sport have left an indelible mark. As the racing community mourns the loss of one of its greatest figures, Bloomquist's legacy will undoubtedly live on through the memories of his incredible career and the impact he had on the sport he loved.