Scott Bloomquist was ‘surprised’ that he was suspended

Bloomquist comments on the suspension, fine and probation he received for the driver swap at East Bay Raceway Park

Bloomquist: “When the plan is to run two laps, I don’t see what the harm was. No harm, no foul, what the hell?”

On Tuesday, February 5 the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series was in their second night at East Bay Raceway Park. Bloomquist qualified 13th in Group A.

He then finished 7th in his heat race. That would have placed him in the B-Main. However, Bloomquist did not compete in the B-Main. At this point, Bloomquist had left the speedway.

The #0 took position on the last row of the grid via a provisional starting spot. KC Burdette jumped in the #0 car for the main event. He turned just enough laps to get the start money and park it. He finished 26th of 26 and collected the starting pay of $500 for Team Zero.

Ms Mid-America Dirt 2018 and Scott Bloomquist
Ms Mid-America Dirt 2018 and Scott Bloomquist

Scott Bloomquist penalized

The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series handed him a fine and probation for the driver swap. It was announced at the drivers meeting ahead of Thursday’s event.

Bloomquist was handed the following penalties and fines: Disqualification from Tuesday’s event; loss of TV Race Challenge points earned; earnings from Tuesday’s event of $500 will be forfeited.

Bloomquist was has also handed a $1,000 fine. He was suspended from Thursday night’s program and has been placed on an indefinite probationary period.

Mike Benedum was the next eligible provisional starter. He received the $500 starting pay that would have been payable to Bloomquist.

With the backstory complete…


Scott Bloomquist comments on the penalty for the driver swap

Were you surprised by the penalty?

“Yeah,” Bloomquist told RacingNews.co at Bubba Raceway Park during a rain delay.

Did you know it was a rule?

“It isn’t.”

“I’ve asked them twice to show it to me. They said that they don’t know that it’s in there.”

“I asked them to show it to me. And they still haven’t shown nobody nothing.”

“The fine, you know, just to make up fines out of the blue. I just know it wouldn’t have been an issue with somebody else, I just don’t get what the whole point was.”

“I mean, I could have turned around and come back to run two laps and pulled it in. Or have somebody else do it. When the plan is to run two laps, I don’t see what the harm was. No harm, no foul, what the hell?”

So, you didn’t think you were breaking any rule at the time?

“I hadn’t even considered it.”

Now, I’m going to ask the question that everybody wants to know… Which is where you went after you left the track?

“I stay there, I have a room there for the week. I went back to the hotel and went to bed early.”

Scott Bloomquist at East Bay Raceway Park - Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series 8254
Scott Bloomquist at East Bay Raceway Park – Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series 8254
A week of dirt racing at East Bay Raceway Park

Here’s what spawned this entire thing….

East Bay Raceway Park features six straight days of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series. But, for the first two nights, the race winner is handed a check for just $5,000. In the second two nights, that pay is upped to $7,000.

I get what’s going on from a promoters standpoint. But, that’s still a relatively low payout for $100,000+ dirt late models. But, it’s not totally uncommon either for big shows.

Other shows under $7,000: The Show-Me 100 at Lucas Oil Speedway, The Clash at the Mag at Magnolia Motor Speedway, the Topless 100 at Batesville Motor Speedway and the Lucas Oil Late Model Nationals at Knoxville Raceway all feature payouts of under $7,000 during preliminary action.

It becomes even less important at East Bay Raceway Park as the first four race at non-points nights. The only thing up for grabs is the small payout.

I noticed that during the first part of the week at Easy Bay, a lot of times, you don’t race. I guess if you’re starting up front then you race it out. But, if you’re starting in the back or even mid-field then is it just not worth it to race for $5,000?

“No, it’s not. If you don’t qualify good then it’s not worth it, just to tear your stuff up,” Bloomquist continued.

“If you look at what 2nd or 3rd pays and then look at how many hard laps you gotta put on your engine — You know, you can’t even pay for your freshen up.”

“It ain’t just the car. Especially with no points on the line. I mean, we don’t hardly ever lineup for anything under $10,000 to win anywhere.”

“To go there, with that much competition and be racing for change, it’s not smart.”

More

Scott Bloomquist penalized by the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series at East Bay Raceway Park

East Bay Raceway Park Results: February 5, 2019

Scott Bloomquist tells the fascinating story of the #0

Bloomquist comments on bullrings and big tracks

Links

Scott Bloomquist | Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series | East Bay Raceway Park

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