Racing icon Scott Bloomquist was killed in a plane crash near his home in Mooresburg, Tenn. on Friday morning, multiple outlets reported.
Bloomquist was reportedly flying the airplane when a “small aircraft crash” transpired around 7:15 a.m. ET.
The 60-year-old was one of the better-regarded racers in history, being inducted into the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame in 2002.
Bloomquist’s storied career included prevailing three times in the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, eight times in the Dirt Late Model Dream Series and four times in the World 100.
On top of that, Bloomquist won the 2004 World of Outlaws Late Model Series and was named 2006 RPM Racing News Driver of the Year.
Tributes poured in across social media to honor Bloomquist and his impact on the sport.
“One of the saddest days in dirt racing history,” wrote one user, amassing over 1,000 likes.
“There is a level of sheer, uncompromising bad-assedness that the human race will never again reach. Scott Bloomquist was one level above that,” another wrote. “RIP to a legend.”
“Just awful news,” added Couch Racer Shop. “The word legend gets thrown around a little too often sometimes. But it’s the only way to describe Scott Bloomquist. RIP Bloomer.”
Bloomquist, who collected over 600 career wins, had battled a bevy of serious injuries in the last few years.
In 2019, he was in a motorcycle accident that impaired his leg and hip.
Four years later, Bloomquist battled prostate cancer while enduring back problems.
Nonetheless, Bloomquist was reportedly attempting to return to form and race once again during major series competitions in 2024.
Bloomquist’s latest victories came in 2017 and 2018 at the Dirt Late Model Dream event, which he won four times in his career.
