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All 18 members of the International Motorsports Hall of Fame board were removed by Alabama’s governor this week. Their removal follows an audit that uncovered missing cars and funds.

The audit, released in October, cited 35 violations of state laws or regulations committed by the International Motorsports Hall of Fame Commission. It was also discovered that a former employee allegedly stole $236,610.

“Governor Ivey is responsible for ensuring all state entities are operating effectively with transparency,” Alabama Governor Kay Ivey’s Communications Director, Gina Maiola, told WBRC News.

Governor Ivey also appointed a completely new board. International Motorsports Hall of Fame Executive Director Adam Stocks has also resigned as part of the shakeup.

“Governor Ivey believes this is the right time for a fresh start at the Hall of Fame,” read a letter notifying the Commission members of their removal.

The International Motorsports Hall of Fame Commission was charged with numerous violations

The $236,610 was allegedly misappropriated by the Commission’s former account manager. According to AL.com, that amount included $22,525 in checks written to cash or withdrawn, $16,697 in checks written to the former account manager, $12,714 to retail stores, $5,428 for personal power bills, and $26,240 in overpayment of wages to the account manager. $13,370 in cash received from museum tours and gift shop sales was also not deposited. The former account manager has been ordered to repay the entire $236,610.

In addition to the more than $200,000 in misspent funds, the audit found two donated vehicles missing. A 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona and a 2001 Pontiac Firebird Firehawk 10th Anniversary Convertible were recorded as sold. The Commission could provide no documented proof of sale for either.

The commission also sold a 1968 Camaro convertible pace car for $15,000 to the commission’s then-executive director. This occurred after spending about $23,000 in commission funds on repairs to the vehicle.

Former Senator Gerald Dial, who was Chairman of the Commission, told AL.com, “Me and that board has never done anything wrong. We’ve worked. I’ve been there for 45 years.”

The attorney general’s office is reportedly investigating the audit’s discoveries. However, no criminal charges have been filed at this time.

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MotorBiscuit Senior Editor

Doug Sheckler

Doug Sheckler is a Senior Editor at MotorBiscuit and BroBible. He began his professional career working for an auto racing sanctioning body, and subsequently founded his own racing series, which remains in operation today. He has since spent the better part of two decades creating, editing, and writing for a variety of websites.

These days, he has a special affinity for hypercars and other exotic vehicles that he will never own. He also enjoys delving into stories about the world of criminals, the more foolish and/or clever the better, and is always up for a good conspiracy theory. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from the University of Iowa.

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