Scott Bloomquist, widely regarded as one of the most successful dirt track racers in history, died on Friday, August 16, 2024, after his vintage Piper J3C-65 Cub airplane crashed on his family farm in Mooresburg, Tennessee. He was 60 years old.
According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, Bloomquist had no active pilot’s license when the vintage aircraft crashed into a barn on his family’s property sometime after 7 a.m. The National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA are investigating the crash. Initial reports indicate that the plane caught fire on impact, and Bloomquist was the sole occupant.
Over his 40-year career, Bloomquist earned over 600 victories and nine national championships. His signature No. 0 late model cars were famous on dirt tracks across the country, with major victories including four World 100 titles at Eldora Speedway and five Cedar Lake Speedway USA Nationals wins. He was inducted into the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame in 2002.
Bloomquist’s success wasn’t limited to dirt racing. He briefly competed in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and the ARCA Menards Series. Despite his short NASCAR stint, his influence remained strongest in dirt track racing, where his most recent Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series title came in 2016. In 2018, he captured another prestigious victory at Eldora Speedway, winning the Dream XXIV.
Beyond racing, Bloomquist was known for his innovations in car design. As the owner of Team Zero Race Cars, he influenced the development of dirt late-model chassis. Scott’s innovative designs advanced the sport, contributing to the success of numerous drivers on the track. Fellow driver Kenny Wallace regarded him as the most intelligent figure in dirt racing.
Tony Stewart, a four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing, described Bloomquist as a unique figure and one of the smartest people he’s known in the sport. Stewart highlighted Bloomquist’s extraordinary skills both behind the wheel and in designing race cars, noting his significant impact on dirt racing with a personality as large as his numerous achievements.
Former NASCAR driver Clint Bowyer expressed sadness over Bloomquist’s passing. He reflected on the countless stories from his life and suggested that it would take more than one movie to capture his full story.
His career was not without challenges. In 2019, he was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident, suffering extensive leg and hip injuries that sidelined him from racing for several months. Despite these setbacks and a recent battle with prostate cancer, Bloomquist continued to compete until his death.
Bloomquist is survived by his daughter, Ariel, who was a source of pride for him, and his parents and sister. His legacy in racing will live on through the innovations he brought to the sport and the countless victories he achieved. His influence extends to the racers who continue to drive the cars he helped design.