Famous dirt racing driver Scott Bloomquist dies at the age of 60 in a vintage plane crash

Aug. 17 (UPI) — Scott Bloomquist, a well-known dirt racer of the latest generation, died Friday in a vintage plane crash near his home in Mooresburg, Tennessee. He was 60.

Bloomquist's single-engine Piper J-3C-65 crashed into a barn on his family's farm around 7:50 a.m. Friday, the Federal Aviation Administration said. Mooresburg is about 51 miles northeast of Knoxville.

Family friend Reid Millard made the announcement on behalf of Bloomquist's mother Georgia, writing, “God bless you, Scott. May you forever fly high on the wings of an eagle.”

Bloomquist was the sole occupant of the 1938 plane. He was not a licensed pilot and the plane had been unlicensed since 2012, The Rogerville Review reported, citing the Federal Aviation Administration.

The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.

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

He won the World of Outlaws Late Model Series in 2004.

Bloomquist is ranked 8th on the World of Outlaws Late Models all-time list, with his last of 33 victories in the series coming in 2020 at Thunder Mountain Speedway.

In 2002 he was inducted into the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame,

“Scott Bloomquist's legendary status is not only due to his success on the racetrack, but also his innovations throughout the dirt late model industry,” said Brian Carter, CEO of 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 it is today. His influence has also contributed to the development of race tracks and chassis over the years. Bloomquist's passion for the sport and innovative spirit will be greatly missed by all of us.” Tony Stewart, four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing, posted on X: “Scott Bloomquist was one of a kind and probably the smartest guy I've ever met when it comes to dirt racing. What he could do behind the wheel of a race car was surpassed 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. His presence made dirt racing better and we will miss him greatly.”