Bloomquist to skip shoulder surgery; Cleared to race

Scott Bloomquist: Timeline of events (Injury, missed tests, suspension, clearance)

The month of June has been a little dramatic for Scott Bloomquist fans. Here’s the full timeline of events.

June 8-9
Injury | 1st Drug Test

On June 8, Eldora Speedway hosted a double header event due to a rainout from the night before. Bloomquist completed the first round in the daylight. Ahead of the second round that night, World Racing Group was set to conduct a drug test.

At the same time, Bloomquist fell backwards into the tongue of his trailer. He caught his fall but it twister his arm behind him. This created another tear in his shoulder, per a statement from Scott Bloomquist. He missed the entirety of round 2 in the Dirt Late Model Dream as the driver spent time in the emergency room.

He already had tears in his arm from previous racing injuries. The fall only made things worse. Before the incident at Eldora, Bloomquist stated that his doctor wanted him to get surgery. The problem was, he didn’t know what races to miss.

The #0 returned the following night while the drug test agency ‘Drug Free Sport’ was no longer on the grounds at Eldora Speedway. Though, Bloomquist offered to complete the drug test at another facility. Series officials allowed the driver to race with proof of his emergency room visit, which he provided.

He was also allowed to use the prescription pain meds that were provided by his doctor. Starting from the tail of the field, he drove off to dominate the Dirt Late Model Dream. He pocketed the $100,000 check for the win.

Meanwhile, officials were far from done with the drug testing situation. At Eldora, WRG officials stated that when they had another chance to test Bloomquist, they would.

Scott Bloomquist - 2018 Dirt Late Model Dream Winner
Scott Bloomquist – 2018 Dirt Late Model Dream Winner (Photo: Mike Ruefer)

June 21-22
Crash | 2nd Drug Test | Suspension

The #0 team returned to a World Racing Group sanctioned event for the first time since Eldora Speedway. The first night went on as planned, he finished 4th in preliminary event.

At the beginning of night two at Lernerville, officials announced yet another drug screening. Bloomquist was again selected as one of the participants.

However, Bloomquist was involved in an on-track accident in his heat race. After that accident, Bloomquist returned to the trailer and told the crew to load up. They did. Bloomquist stated that from this point he left the speedway and went to a nearby hotel with plans of placing his season on hold due to shoulder surgery.

Meanwhile, series officials had already given Bloomquist a deadline of 11PM to appear for his urinalysis. Series director Matt Curl went to beating on the door of the #0 hauler with no answer.

Bloomquist had just missed a second drug test. This time around, officials didn’t let the driver slide. They hit him with a 90-day suspension and a $1,000 fine which was announced just a few hours after the missed deadline.

Bloomquist stated that he was aware of the drug test. Though, he elected not to return to the speedway because he didn’t expect to be required to pass a drug test when he thought he would be out of the race car for the next 5 months due to a shoulder surgery.

In other words, he didn’t understand why that wanted him to pass a drug test when he stated he would be sidelined. He didn’t expect to be suspended. From there, Bloomquist was expected to go into surgery with the plans to put a substitute driver in his car for select events.

Scott Bloomquist breaks the left front wheel at Lucas Oil Speedway 8444
Scott Bloomquist breaks the left front wheel at Lucas Oil Speedway

June 26-27
Doctor visits

On Tuesday, Scott Bloomquist visited his doctor in Tennessee to have X-Ray scans on his arm. On Wednesday, an MRI was on the schedule.

From that point, Bloomquist stated that he expected to go into surgery. The recovery was expected to be 5-7 months per a team estimate.

“Scott was seen by doctors today in Tennessee, X-rays were taken and an MRI has been scheduled for Wednesday. Surgery will likely be within the next 2 weeks. Doctors indicated a 5-7 month recovery time,” the team released a statement via social media.

June 29
Clearance to race

Last night, Team Zero posted an update following the MRI scan. It turns out Scott will not relinquish his seat behind the #0 machine. Instead, he will head to Portsmouth Raceway Park tonight.

“Scott’s MRI results determined severe arthritis, he has been cleared to race the remainder of 2018 and will be reevaluated at the end of the season,” the Team Zero statement read.

This update came just a day ahead of the Ohio swing which will feature four races in the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series. Bloomquist is currently 2nd in series standings and is prepared to compete for the championship. The suspension does not affect LOLMDS events.

More to come…

The story isn’t over just yet. Bloomquist is still suspended for a minimum of 60 days and a maximum of 90 days. In order to be cleared for competition in any DIRTcar or World Racing Group sanction event, he will need to pass two consecutive drug tests within a 14 day period.

Bloomquist still has two World Racing Group events on his schedule. The World 100 is set for September 6-8. The World 100 takes place 77 days into a possible 90-day suspension. The World of Outlaws World Finals are set for November 1-3.

#MindGames in the month of June. You’ll miss him when he’s gone.

More

Related: Bloomquist was seen by doctors on Tuesday

Related: Bloomquist is expected to undergo surgery; Second missed drug test explained

Related: World of Outlaws announces the suspension of Scott Bloomquist

Related: Scott Bloomquist thinks his arm injury will keep him from running for the championship

Related: Scott Bloomquist comments from victory lane at Eldora Speedway

Related: 2018 Dirt Late Model Dream Results: Saturday

Related: Kyle Bronson discusses the new alliance with Team Zero

Related: Scott Bloomquist tells the fascinating story of the #0

Related: Driver fails drug test following the 2017 Dirt Late Model Dream

Related: Driver refuses WoO drug test, suspended

Related: World of Outlaws announce drug testing program

Related: Post lawsuit, Scott Bloomquist discusses driver suspensions

Links

Scott Bloomquist | Lernerville Speedway | DIRTcar | Eldora Speedway | LOLMDS

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