Breaking News: Furious Fans Destroy Tony Stewart Statue at Eldora Speedway After Controversial Scott Bloomquist Documentary
Rossburg, Ohio – June 2, 2025
In a shocking and unprecedented outburst of emotion, a group of outraged dirt racing fans vandalized and destroyed the statue of NASCAR legend and Eldora Speedway owner Tony Stewart late Sunday night. The incident occurred in response to the recent release of a highly acclaimed documentary highlighting the career of dirt racing icon Scott Bloomquist, which fans say exposed longstanding issues regarding Stewart’s stewardship of the legendary racetrack.
The documentary, “Black Sunshine: The Scott Bloomquist Story,” premiered last week and has since ignited fierce debates within the dirt racing community. The film, praised for its raw honesty and historical depth, explores Bloomquist’s complicated relationship with Eldora Speedway, a venue where he once reigned supreme but later found himself sidelined following Tony Stewart’s acquisition of the track in 2004.
Bloomquist, widely regarded as one of the greatest dirt late model drivers of all time, was portrayed in the film as being subtly pushed out of Eldora’s elite events in favor of a more commercialized vision under Stewart’s ownership. Fans interviewed in the documentary voiced frustrations over what they perceive as the “corporatization” of Eldora, lamenting the loss of the gritty, grassroots feel that once defined the track and its crown jewel event—the Dirt Late Model Dream.
The situation reached a boiling point Sunday evening when a group of fans, many donning Bloomquist merchandise, gathered outside the speedway during a local race night. Witnesses say chants of “Justice for Scott” and “Eldora is Bloomquist’s house” rang through the air before several individuals rushed the statue of Stewart near the main entrance.
Videos shared on social media show fans using sledgehammers and heavy tools to topple and deface the bronze likeness of Stewart, which had been unveiled in 2019 to honor his impact on both dirt and stock car racing. The statue was completely destroyed before local law enforcement could respond.
Darke County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that an investigation is underway and that several arrests have already been made. “We are treating this as an act of vandalism and disorderly conduct,” said Sheriff Ryan Phillips. “While we understand that people have strong emotions tied to racing culture, this kind of behavior is unacceptable and will be prosecuted.”
Tony Stewart has not yet released an official statement, though sources close to the three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion say he is “deeply disappointed and hurt” by the incident. Stewart, who has long defended his vision for modernizing Eldora, has often said he tried to balance tradition with progress. Critics, however, argue that Bloomquist’s exclusion from marquee events and perceived blackballing over the years were part of a broader trend of sidelining legends in favor of newer, more sponsor-friendly talent.
Fans on both sides of the issue have taken to social media to voice their opinions, with hashtags like Justice For Scott, Bring Back The Dream, and Tony Let Us Down trending on racing forums and Twitter. Some Bloomquist supporters are calling for a formal apology from Eldora Speedway management and demanding that Bloomquist be honored with his own statue or a permanent tribute at the track.
As of Monday morning, the statue’s remains had been cleared, but tensions remain high.
“This wasn’t just about a statue,” said long-time fan Denise Harper. “This was about respect. Scott Bloomquist helped build Eldora’s legacy. We’re not going to let history be rewritten to leave him out.”
Eldora Speedway has canceled all media appearances scheduled for the week and is reportedly increasing security for upcoming events.
