Authorities have confirmed
that fabled race car driver Scott Bloomquist has died in a small plane crash
near his home in the Mooresburg section of Hawkins County, Tennessee.
Hawkins County Sheriff Ronnie
Lawson told the “Review” that Bloomquist, who owned a private airstrip on his
Mooresburg property, seemingly crashed his plane into a barn. Bloomquist, one
of the most commemorated dirt track stock car racers in history, was the sole resident
of the aircraft. First responders were
Transmitted following reports of fire and black smoke at
the scene. The 60-year-old was piloting a 1938 Piper Cub J3C-65 N21811, a
two-seat aircraft & was noticeable dead at the scene.
Sheriff Lawson noted that
detectives, along with state and federal aviation jurisdiction, were en route
to investigate. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA),
Bloomquist was not a licensed pilot, and the plane had not been registered
since 2012.
A
Legendary Career
Scott Bloomquist, widely
regarded as the most victorious dirt stock car racer of all time, began his
career at Corona Raceway in California in 1980. He quickly made a name for
himself, winning various races and the track championship in 1982.
In 1983, Bloomquist relocated
to Mooresburg to work on his father's farm and started be a competitor in
larger purse races within 100 miles of his new home. During the 1980s, he
became a local hero at Kingsport Speedway, and in 1988, he stunned the racing
world by winning the highly regarded World 100 at Eldora Speedway - a feat he
repeated in 1990. Bloomquist’s influence on dirt track racing remainder exceptional.
Among
his honors are:
2004 World of Outlaws Late
Model Series Champion
2009, 2010, 2016 Lucas Oil Late
Model Dirt Series Champion
1994, 1995, 1998, 2000
Hav-A-Tampa Dirt Late Model Series Champion
1995, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008,
2013, 2017, 2018 Dirt Late Model Dream Winner
1988, 1990, 2001, 2014 World
100 Winner
1992, 1994, 1996, 2014
Blue-Gray 100 Winner
2002 National Dirt Late Model
Hall of Fame
