Dustin Smith Battles to Lee Fields Memorial Victory at Mobile

The battle for the win in Saturday's Lee Fields Memorial had all the momentum swings of a championship boxing bout, but after 100 laps, it was Dustin Smith holding the championship belt in victory lane.

Smith battled with Jake Finch throughout the second half of the Pro Late Model contest, swapping the lead back and forth multiple times on the Alabama half-mile. Smith took the lead for the final time on lap 81 and pulled away to victory.

The cat-and-mouse game began early, with both Smith and Finch knowing tire-saving would be important for 100 laps on the high-banked track compared to the standard 50 laps for Mobile's Pro Late Model features. When a caution came out for a spin by David McDade on lap 30, it erased a five-second advantage for leader Rafe Slate.

It also put Smith on attack mode, as he sat eighth on the leaderboard at the time of the yellow.

"I knew Finch was going to be riding," said Smith in victory lane. "As soon as I kind of fell back like that, it kind of screwed us up when that caution came out on lap 30, but I knew I saved enough to get up there and pass him."

Within three laps of the restart, Smith raced his way to the fourth position. By lap 50, Finch took the lead from Slate and Smith moved into second, setting his sights on the Florida driver.

From there, the two contenders swapped the lead back and forth several times. Finally, on lap 81, Smith worked his way to the inside of Finch exiting turn two and pulled ahead for the lead. Smith crossed the finish line 2.3 seconds ahead of Finch to claim the Lee Fields Memorial.

"Hell of a race," said Smith. "I can't thank all my guys, my dad, my sponsors, Alex Query, Greg, everybody. Johnny's RV, they are part of this program right here. See y'all at the next one."

As jubilant as Smith was in victory lane, Finch was equally frustrated and despondent following a runner-up finish in the Ronnie Sanders Racing No. 18.

"Finished second" said a dejected Finch. "Just show up to the race track and do the best I can. The best wasn't enough tonight. That's it."

Meanwhile, Cody Martell, a more familiar name in the racing circles around Central Florida, made the trek to Mobile for the Lee Fields Memorial. Martell scored a third-place finish in his first trip to Mobile International Speedway.

"I wouldn't be here without these guys," said Martell. "My dad, Jeremy Goddard, Michael Goddard, Chris Cater, Shaun Cater, Hauling Away, 4M Services. This was our first time here. I knew we were up against the best with these two in front of us, so I'm happy with third. We'll definitely be back."

Chad Robinson finished fourth, with Cody Haskins rounding out the top five.

With the win, Smith moves into the top spot in the Rogers-Dabbs Challenge points standings for the Southern Pro Series. Two races remain in the eight-race challenge, with the next race also being the Night of Champions at Five Flags Speedway on September 27.

The last night of local racing for the 2025 season at Mobile takes place on September 6, with Outlaws, Pro Trucks and Sportsman on the schedule. The track will also host the UARA National Super Late Models on October 3-4.

-Photo credit: Mobile International Speedway

Lee Fields Memorial Unofficial Results