Driver plans to appeal Outlaws ruling
Arguably the most successful dirt late model driver in history managed to add another championship trophy to an already crowded trophy room.
Scott Bloomquist was officially crowned last weekend as the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series champion at the series banquet at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Along with the huge trophy came a check for $75,000.
Bloomquist has won every major, national touring series title in dirt late model.
The Mooresburg driver won the defunct Hav-A-Tampa Dirt Racing Series title five times. After that series folded in 2003, Bloomquist added the World of Outlaws Late Model Dirt Series title in 2004.
Following the 2005 season, Bloomquist said he probably would not run for national points again, citing the opportunity to race for similar purses closer to home and avoid the amount of travel for a national tour.
For 2009, the Lucas Oil series adopted a program called “The Road to Wheatland” where bonus money would be paid to drivers high in the point standings leading up to the Diamond Nationals event in Wheatland, Missouri.
Following that race, Bloomquist was leading the series standings. With a possible $75,000 payday waiting at season’s end, Bloomquist decided to stick with the tour as long as he was in contention for the title. He never looked back.
During the course of the season, Bloomquist racked up 22 top five finishes in 40 races.
His lone series win came in the finale at Rome Speedway in Rome, Ga., on Oct. 11. Bloomquist’s title ended four straight years of championships by Earl Pearson Jr., who finished third behind Bloomquist and Jimmy Owens of Newport.
Bloomquist did win his share of other races in other series and unsanctioned events.
His biggest paying win came at the Knoxville Nationals in Knoxville, Iowa where he won $40,000.
He also won round one of the World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte earlier this month. But in a press release issued earlier this week, Bloomquist was fined $11,350, forfeited earnings on Nov. 6 and 7 and suspended for six months from World of Outlaws competition for using what was deemed an illegally altered tire.
Following The World Finals, Bloomquist’s left, rear tire was confiscated and sent to an independent lab for testing. The results stated the tire had been chemically altered, a growing problem in dirt late model racing.
Bloomquist plans to appeal the decision and may consider legal action.
Pit Notes: Randy Weaver of Crossville clinched the O’Reilly Southern All-Stars Series championship last Saturday night at Cleveland Speedway. Ronnie Lee Hollingsworth of Alabama led for most of the season before Weaver took the lead with a handful of events remaining. It is the first series title for the 40 year-old driver. Weaver drove for Mike Hill of Rockwood this season. … Legendary driver Charles Trammell passed away Monday night at his home in Lake City. Trammell won many races and championships across the area and went on to help his son, Jack, and grandson, Jason, to their own racing careers. He was 86. … Carter High School graduate Andy Shahan is celebrating a championship team as part of Ron Hornaday’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team. Shahan is a tire changer on the championship team that clinched the title last Friday at Homestead.
Michael Moats is a freelance contributor. He can be reached at tnracing@hotmail.com.
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