Ken Block, who captivated audiences with his pioneering style of automotive acrobatics, died Monday in a snowmobile accident. He was 55.
Block‘s death was announced Monday by Hoonigan Industries, an auto enthusiast company that he co-founded. Block was a standout in RallyCross competition, and his Gymkhana series of short films blurred the lines of motorsports and action sports with his precision driving — wild drifts, surreal stunts and tire-shredding burnouts — in all styles of terrain.
Block‘s passing shook the NASCAR community, which shared its remembrances and tributes. Several drivers and industry figures also shared thoughts for Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, whose collapse and cardiac arrest during Monday night‘s NFL game closely coincided with the news of Block‘s death.
Prayers for @kblock43‘s family. He was a pioneer in motorsports and brought a vision to do things behind the wheel that no one else had ever accomplished of even thought of before.
— Joey Logano (@joeylogano) January 3, 2023
A toast to you @kblock43. Nothing but love from the @MonsterEnergy family. pic.twitter.com/s86GQJ0MIQ
— Kurt Busch (@KurtBusch) January 3, 2023
Met Ken Block one time and was able to do a video shoot with him and was absolutely blown away at how nice he was and the car control he had. RIP… pic.twitter.com/qjrqMzExO1
— Chase Briscoe (@ChaseBriscoe_14) January 3, 2023
Rip
Such a legend. Saw him drive one time in Vegas and he had every drivers respect. #Godspeed https://t.co/KpQSr2PsOF— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) January 3, 2023
Ken Block, such a legend! Showed the world how to make awesome content, and just a wheelman!! RIP #gymkhana
— Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (@StenhouseJr) January 3, 2023
Praying and hoping for Damar Hamlin. Thinking about Ken Block and his family too. ud83dude4f
— Tyler Reddick (@TylerReddick) January 3, 2023
RIP to the original Hoonigan. I loved the Innovation Ken Block had with street cars. pic.twitter.com/D1nZTm7Uiu
— Ryan Preece (@RyanPreece_) January 3, 2023
Rip Ken Block. Sad for his family and friends
— Noah Gragson (@NoahGragson) January 3, 2023
Just seeing the news about Ken Block and I’m at a loss for words. A legend gone too early. Thoughts out to his family and friends
— John Hunter Nemechek (@JHNemechek) January 3, 2023
RIP to one of the coolest to ever do it @kblock43. I remember playing Dirt 2 til my fingers bled. The guy brought rally/gymkhana to new heights in the US & had a style completely his own. As loud as his driving was, he never seemed to have the ego to match. What a massive loss.
— Tommy Joe Martins (@TommyJoeMartins) January 3, 2023
Like I just thought about it — @kblock43 was basically Evel Knievel in a car to an entire generation of people.
— Tommy Joe Martins (@TommyJoeMartins) January 3, 2023
Went trough my workout this morning appreciating each and every breath, not taking any second for granted…heavy on my heart this morning are the families of Damar Hamlin and Ken Block ud83dude4fud83cudffcud83dude4fud83cudffcu2764ufe0f
— Daniel Hemric (@DanielHemric) January 3, 2023
RIP Ken Block. I can‘t believe it. A true talent, innovator, and real legend gone way too soon. One of my childhood heroes ud83dudc94 Praying for his family ud83dude4f
— Anthony Alfredo (@anthonyalfredo) January 3, 2023
Ken Block transcended the motorsports world. He created a new form of automobile culture & excitement to the general public and it was so cool to see.
I never knew him personally, but I have so much respect for what he‘s done for motorsports & more importantly, charity. Sad day. https://t.co/rPWFQq4YG5
— Ryan Ellis (@ryanellisracing) January 3, 2023
Want to know how big of a deal Ken Block was to me in my early days of racing/being a fan?
In 2015, I used the same font on my truck as he did on the Hoonicorn in Gymkhana 7.
Heartbreaking loss to the Motorsports world. pic.twitter.com/Kss5ej9pnU
— Ryan Vargas (@RyanVargas_23) January 3, 2023
condolences to ken block’s family, can’t put into words how much he has meant for everything car related all over the world. wishing the best for his kids and his loved ones.
— bread perez (@bradxperez) January 3, 2023
So sad to hear about the loss of an absolute legend @kblock43. Nothing that man couldn‘t do! The things he did behind the wheel of a car looked as if they were fake and out of a video game. The Best!!!! ud83dude4f
— Clint Bowyer (@ClintBowyer) January 3, 2023
rip ken block. prayers for his family.
— Toni Breidinger (@ToniBreidinger) January 3, 2023
This is heartbreaking. I was lucky enough to call @kblock43 a friend. He was truly a legend and inspiration to all of us at @Ford. pic.twitter.com/nVqZBM7mlX
— Jim Farley (@jimfarley98) January 3, 2023
43 Forever ud83dudc94 pic.twitter.com/W1ayAZrGDE
— Monster Energy (@MonsterEnergy) January 3, 2023
Tonight, we offer our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Ken Block. May he rest in peace.
In addition, our thoughts and prayers continue to be with Damar Hamlin and the @BuffaloBills.
A heartbreaking time in the world of sports.
— RFK Racing (@RFKracing) January 3, 2023
The racing world lost a legend today.
To the original 43, R.I.P. Ken Block. pic.twitter.com/5RIZendelA
— Alpha Prime Racing (@TeamAlphaPrime) January 3, 2023
Heartbroken. @kblock43 will be greatly missed. All of us at Roush Yates are thinking of and praying for Ken‘s family, friends, and the entire @TheHoonigans crew on the passing of Ken. He took @FordPerformance power to new and exciting places. pic.twitter.com/iqwnUbISPK
— Roush Yates Engines (@roushyates) January 3, 2023
Our thoughts are with Ken Block‘s family, friends, & the racing community as we mourn a true trailblazer gone far too soon. https://t.co/6YyoYLEmnE
— Chip Ganassi Racing (@CGRTeams) January 3, 2023
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Ken Block. https://t.co/0ugyWBp1Ec
— Pocono Raceway (@PoconoRaceway) January 3, 2023
Awful news. What a legend & important figure in so many different motorsports, extreme sports & car culture. RIP Ken https://t.co/sirLcwlqDT
— Parker Kligerman (@pkligerman) January 3, 2023
It‘s been an extremely tough evening.
We offer our condolences to the family and friends of Ken Block. Rest in peace, Ken.
— Kaulig Racing (@KauligRacing) January 3, 2023
Thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of Ken Block. The world lost a true motorsports visionary ud83dude4f https://t.co/hQ85mUyfm9
— Las Vegas Motor Speedway (@LVMotorSpeedway) January 3, 2023
