Dirt racing icon Scott Bloomquist dies in plane crash at age 60

CNN
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According to local authorities, dirt racing icon Scott Bloomquist died in a plane crash near his home in Mooresburg, Tennessee. He was 60 years old.

A single-engine Piper J-3 plane crashed into a barn around 7:50 a.m. Friday, the Federal Aviation Administration said. The old plane belonged to Bloomquist and crashed on his family farm, according to family friend Reid Millard, who made the report on behalf of Bloomquist's mother, Georgie.

Hawkins County Mayor Mark DeWitte later confirmed that Bloomquist died in Friday's crash. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the incident.

According to World of Outlaws, Bloomquist has won nine national championships and more than 600 victories in various tour series in his legendary career since his debut in 1980.

He was inducted into the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame in 2002.

“Scott Bloomquist’s legendary status is based not only on his success on the racetrack, but also on his innovations throughout the dirt late model industry,” said Brian Carter, CEO of the World Racing Group.

“He played a key role in DIRTcar Racing and the World of Outlaws, helping to rebuild the World of Outlaws Late Models to become what they are today. His influence has also helped develop race tracks and chassis over the years. Bloomquist's passion for the sport and innovative spirit will be greatly missed by all of us.”

On Friday, the entire racing world mourned the Hall of Fame member.

Tony Stewart, a four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing, called Bloomquist “unique” and one of the smartest guys he's ever met.

“Scott Bloomquist was one of a kind and probably the smartest guy I've ever met in dirt racing,” he said. “What he could do behind the wheel of a race car was matched by the ingenuity he put into building his race cars. He was a force on and off the track, with a personality as big as his list of accomplishments. He made dirt racing better with a presence that will be greatly missed.”

Meanwhile, former NASCAR driver Clint Bowyer said: “It is sad to hear of the death of Scott Bloomquist. The stories are endless! You simply cannot put his life into just one film. It would take a whole series.”