3/20/2025
Five Flags Speedway
Dustin Smith Tapped to Wheel Augie’s ‘Iconic 112’ for Sunshine State 200 on Sunday
Dustin Smith Tapped to Wheel Augie’s ‘Iconic 112’ for Sunshine State 200 on Sunday
By Chuck Corder
5flagsspeedway.com reporter
The moment felt surreal for Dustin Smith.
The Late Model driver was moments away from qualifying for the iconic Rattler 250 when dad, Mitch Smith, approached him with an interesting offer.
Augie Grill wanted the 27-year-old Dustin to drive his famed No. 112 Super Late Model at the Southern Super Series / ASA STARS National Tour Sunshine State 200, the Sunday race that will close a tripleheader weekend to kick off the season at Five Flags Speedway.
“I was excited and kinda shocked,” Dustin Smith said. “Augie doesn’t let anybody drive his racecars. I’m honored that he’d let me. It’s a big deal to drive for somebody like Augie Grill and the iconic 112.”
Fully aware of the situation’s gravity, Smith is ready to not disappoint his legendary car owner and hopes to be connected at the hip to Grill this weekend.
“I look forward to learning a buncha stuff from (Grill) that he’s done in that car throughout his career,” Smith said. “Hopefully, he can give me a few pointers on and off the racetrack.”
The green flag for the Sunshine State 200 drops at 2 p.m. Sunday and bookends what promises to be a blockbuster weekend at Five Flags.
Four local divisions battle door-to-door Friday followed by the Vore’s Compact Touring Series at 5 p.m. Saturday and the ARCA Menard’s Series East Pensacola 150 that will follow Saturday night.
Single-day admission for Sunday’s race is $30 for all fans except for kids ages 5 to 11, who get in for $10. For more information on weekend and VIP packages along with a full schedule of events, please contact the track office at 850.944.8400 or visit www.5flagsspeedway.com.
Dustin Smith started racing go-karts at age 8, quickly collecting national titles like they were baseball cards. He spent one year racing Legends cars as a teenager before moving into Late Models with his father’s support.
“We’ve worked hard since (the Snowball) Derby to upgrade our stuff,” Dustin Smith said, “and compete with teams like Donnie Wilson and Anthony Campi.”
While father and son continue the process of building a new Super Late Model with a Fury chassis, both knew they couldn’t pass up on an invitation from Grill to drive one of his Grand American Race Cars.
Fresh off a fourth-place Rattler finish at South Alabama Speedway, Smith will make the 40-minute drive to Pensacola’s high banks with a full head of steam.
He drove to Grill’s shop in Hueytown, Ala., earlier this week to install his seat and get behind the wheel for the first time.
“It felt great. It felt like home. Just another day in the office,” Smith said.
Practices Saturday will be the first chance he gets to make laps in the renowned 112.
“I’m looking forward to the weekend, but also kinda nervous,” Smith said. “It’s such a big weekend and big race. I think I’m nervous to be around a new team more than the car. Every time Augie gets in that car, he competes for wins. I don’t wanna get in there and everybody think I can’t drive it.
“I’m just gonna keep my head down and do the best we can.”
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