In short-track racing, few names spark more conversation, controversy, or admiration than Scott Bloomquist. A true icon of dirt late model racing, Bloomquist has built a legacy on performance, innovation, and individuality. On this classic episode of The Dale Jr. Download, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and co-host Mike Davis sit down with the one and only “Black Sunshine” to dive deep into the man, the myth, and the misunderstood genius behind one of motorsport’s most unique careers.
After arriving in Eastern Tennessee in the mid-1980s, Bloomquist wasted no time shaking up the dirt late model scene. With a striking look, an unmatched understanding of chassis dynamics, and an attitude that defied convention, Bloomquist quickly went from outsider to dominant force. Fans loved him or hated him—but they couldn’t ignore him. As Dale Jr. points out during the conversation, “Scott wasn’t just winning races. He was changing the sport.”
Throughout the episode, Bloomquist opens up like never before. He shares the early struggles that shaped his path, from building his own cars to outsmarting the field with groundbreaking technology. There’s talk of legendary races, long nights in the shop, and the infamous moments that made headlines for years. And, of course, the conversation turns to the 200-point penalty in the Hav-A-Tampa Series—a decision that cost Bloomquist a championship many felt was rightfully his.
“It was political,” Bloomquist says, with a calm resolve. “But I didn’t let it stop me. I kept building. I kept racing. And I made sure they’d never forget me.”
For Dale Jr., whose own career was steeped in the culture of short tracks and grassroots racing, the respect runs deep. The episode is filled with mutual admiration, laughs, and plenty of insight into what makes Bloomquist tick. Davis, too, brings out the human side of Scott, touching on the personal sacrifices and the constant pursuit of perfection that few outside the dirt world ever see.
More than a racing story, this episode is a portrait of a true American original—a driver who did things his way, for better or worse, and left an indelible mark on the sport. In a world of conformity, Bloomquist remains defiantly himself: mysterious, brilliant, and always unpredictable.
If you’re a fan of racing history, underdog stories, or just love a good tale told by the people who lived it, this is an episode you can’t miss.
Let me know if you’d like a shorter version for promotion or an adapted quote set!
