Scott Bloomquist
As reported by Kevin Kovac of DirtonDirt.com, legendary Dirt Late Model racer Scott Bloomquist missed a random drug test on Friday night that was to be administered prior to the running of the Firecracker 100 at the Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Penn. As a result of the missed test, Bloomquist faces a 90-day suspension from the World Racing Group(parent company of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series and UMP) for failing to report for the test he had been selected to take part in.
The WoO Late Models sanctioned event is set to pay $30,000 to the winner of Saturday night’s feature.
The driver pointed out that he had left the Lernerville Speedway grounds to return to his Pittsburgh-area hotel room after an early heat race incident that left him with little chance of making the main event for Friday evening. As a result, he failed to return to provide a mandatory urine sample for his drug test which was then labeled as a “refusal” by WRG.
Refusals equate to a failed test.
While the suspension would not apply to races that do not fall under the sanction of WRG, Bloomquist indicated to Kovac that he may be out of racing for an indefinite period of time as he considers having surgery to repair a damaged rotator cuff in his shoulder. The shoulder injury was inflamed during the weekend of the Dirt Late Model Dream when the Mooresburg, Tenn. driver slipped and fell on the rain-soaked grounds of Eldora Speedway.
Bloomquist had also been scheduled for a drug test during Dream weekend but missed that occasion after having to go to a local emergency room for treatment after his fall. The No. 0 machine with Bloomquist behind the wheel went on to place first in the $100,000 race.
The 54-year-old National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame member stated that the pain from his shoulder injury has left him unable to handle his race car, particularly when tracks are prepared to be very heavy or tacky. That being the case, Bloomquist believes it necessary to go ahead with the surgery rather than continue competing without a full range of motion.
So obviously, Bloomquist will not be a part of races sanctioned by any WRG affiliates for the next 90 days. And if he goes ahead with the shoulder surgery as stated, he could be out of all racing action for the foreseeable future. Bloomquist currently sits second behind Jonathan Davenport in the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series standings and was having a banner year in terms of crown jewel races having won the Show-me 100 at Missouri’s Lucas Oil Speedway and the aforementioned Dirt Late Model Dream at Eldora.
The iconic No. 0 car will be missed by many on the track
Now the sport of Dirt Late Model racing faces the prospect of having a significant portion of its 2018 season play out without one of its most iconic names. The name Scott Bloomquist is one always certain to draw both cheers and boos when called out over a track’s PA speakers. The sight of his hauler pulling through the gates of any speedway draws attention from both fans and competitors alike. And whenever the Zero car is on the track, it is sure to be watched by more than a few in attendance no matter what position it occupies on the scoreboard.
Should Bloomquist actually miss weeks or even months due to surgery and the recovery time that will accompany such a procedure, there almost certainly will be some repercussions for the sport. The major races slated for later in the year will likely not see a deep impact in terms of grandstand attendance. However, tracks may note a difference in the number of pit passes sold as more than a few have been known to pay the more expensive fee required for pit entrance in hopes of getting a glimpse of or having a photo taken with the somewhat mythical character.
Races that might have been a part of Bloomquist’s schedule that don’t fit into the crown jewel category could see a slight attendance drop off among those followers of Team Zero who often drive from locales hours away just to watch their hero on the track.
Bloomquist’s car always draws a crowd in the pit area
But what the sport will almost certainly miss most from a potential Bloomquist absence is the discussion that always surrounds his name. It is difficult to have a conversation without bringing up the name of the driver known as ‘Black Sunshine’. And while that will no doubt still happen even in his absence, it will be in a much different context now that it would have been if he were racing on a regular basis.
There is no way any sport wouldn’t feel the impact of losing its biggest star. Look at what happened to NFL attendance and TV ratings last year when a number of its top players were injured. So the loss of Bloomquist to Dirt Late Model racing for whatever period of time it turns out to be will be felt to some degree.
At the same time, however, the World Racing Group was left with no choice regarding what they had to do with a driver who had missed two consecutive drug tests, no matter what the reason. But also, it appears as if Bloomquist has little choice but to go ahead and repair his damaged body.
Only time will tell what happens from here.
