Motorsport legend Scott Bloomquist dies in light plane crash, aged 60

Tributes are pouring in for motorsport legend Scott Bloomquist after he died in a plane crash near his home.

The much-loved 60-year-old was a respected Hall of Famer Half for Dirt Late Model racing in the US.

He was killed when his plane crashed, reportedly into a barn, on his farm in Mooresburg, Tennessee.

Local authorities have reported that rescue crews, including the fire department, raced to the scene after his vintage light aircraft went down early Friday morning (US).

Moberly Motorsports Park said Bloomquist’s mother, Georgette, confirmed the death.

“(She) called me and wanted me to announce that he lost his life this morning .... Scott was out flying his vintage airplane and had a crash on the Bloomquist family farm,” they said.

American sprintcar racer Rico Abreu was devastated.

“Don’t ever take anything for granted. It all can be gone so fast. It’s a sad day in the racing community,” he said on X (formerly Twitter).

“Scott Bloomquist was an icon. He did what he wanted, said what he wanted, and won races. I’ll forever cherish this moment with Mr Black Sunshine. Rest easy, Outlaw,” he said (posting a picture of himself with Bloomquist after an event.

Couch Racer Shop said it was “just awful news”.

“The word legend gets thrown around a little too often sometimes. But it’s the only way to describe Scott Bloomquist. RIP Bloomer,” they said.

World Racing Group CEO Brian Carter said Bloomquist was a pioneer and a legend.

“Scott Bloomquist’s legendary status not only grew out of his accomplishments on track, but his innovations throughout the dirt Late Model industry,” he said in a statement.

“He played a key role with DIRTcar Racing and the World of Outlaws, helping to rebuild the World of Outlaws Late Models so it could grow into what it’s become today.

“His influences also helped the evolution of racetracks and chassis over the years. Bloomquist’s passion for the sport and innovative mind will be deeply missed by all.”

Bloomquist was inducted into the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame in 2002 after shooting to fame in the 1980s and 90s.

But he continued to have success in the 2000s, winning the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Champion in 2009, 2010, and 2016.

In 2004 he won the World of Outlaws Late Model Series and in 2006 he was the RPM Racing News Driver of the Year.

Another fan called his death “one of the saddest days in dirt racing history”.

And another said: “There is a level of sheer, uncompromising bad-assedness that the human race will never again reach. Scott Bloomquist was one level above that ... RIP to a legend.”