GAFFNEY, S.C. — Chris Madden, who is fourth in the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series standings, has parted ways with Scott Bloomquist Racing.
Cody Sommer, who co-owns the race team alongside Hall of Famer Scott Bloomquist, confirmed the news in an interview with DirtonDirt.com.
“Chris and SBR are parting ways,” Sommer told DirtonDirt.com. “It’s unfortunate…not exactly what the plan was, I think you know that. But we also know that this has been a crazy year, and all kinds of different things go into the equation when you look at how we got to where we are right now with Chris — many, many factors, not just one.”
Madden joined Scott Bloomquist Racing last July after parting ways with Skyline Motorsports. Madden scored a number of high-profile victories after taking the wheel of the No. 0m, including a $50,000 victory in the USA Nationals at Wisconsin’s Cedar Lake Speedway, a $50,000 win in the North/South 100 at Kentucky’s Florence Speedway and a $40,000 triumph in the Topless 100 at Arkansas’ Batesville Motor Speedway.
He continued his strong runs later in the 2019 season, winning multiple events under the Scott Bloomquist Racing banner.
At the PRI Trade Show in Indianapolis, Ind., last December it was announced that Madden would remain with Scott Bloomquist Racing this season. He, alongside team co-owner Scott Bloomquist, would contest the full World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series schedule. Madden’s car has carried sponsorship from Drydene throughout the season.
Madden captured the inaugural Drydene Xtreme DIRTcar Series title and opened the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series season with a win at New Mexico’s Vado Speedway Park. Neither Madden, nor Bloomquist has won a race since.
In a press release posted to the Scott Bloomquist Racing website late Tuesday afternoon, Sommer confirmed that multiple hardships, which included multiple damaged race cars led to the decision to part ways with Madden. He said both parties mutually agreed to part ways.
“Maintaining a full-time two car operation is just too much given the sports current state of costs, scheduling, income, and overall obligations while being committed to a national tour,” said Sommer. “Expanding to a two-car operation is tough enough by itself, let alone during a tough time in the sport and when you maybe are not getting the results you had hoped for. I believe a lot of those results are simply just due to being spread too thin in certain areas and the economics of our sport.”
Madden said in the Scott Bloomquist Racing press release that he does not plan to pursue any driving opportunities for now, instead preferring to spend time with his family.
“I’m not sure what/if I plan to do anything in the future racing wise, but I know I plan to spend a lot of time with family now and watch my son play a lot of baseball,” said Madden.