Connie Putnam

Mark Fields, who competed regularly at Thunderhill Speedway in Summertown, Tenn., and Duck River Raceway Park in Wheel, Tenn., in a variety of Late Model divisions, died Monday at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn. He was 43.

Fields, of Lawrenceburg, Tenn., succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds suffered Oct. 13. According to a report by WKRN-TV, Nashville’s ABC affiliate, a preliminary investigation by the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department shows Fields “got into an argument with his neighbor over his dog.” Fields, who reportedly believed his neighbor shot the dog, went over to confront the neighbor. An argument ensued and the neighbor reportedly opened fire on Fields before turning the gun on himself.

Both Fields and the neighbor, who has yet to be identified, were airlifted to Vanderbilt. According to Lawrence County Sheriff John Myers, “the person identified as the suspect is still alive and is being treated at Vanderbilt. Investigators tried to interview him, but he declined.”

After undergoing surgery, Fields “seemed to be on the mend until taking a turn for the worse over the weekend,” the WKRN report continued. He died at the hospital Monday. Fields, who had one career Southern All Stars victory (pictured in 2016 at Thunderhill), was a lineman at Lawrenceburg Utility Systems. He and wife Candice have two children. Funeral arrangements haven't been released.