November 21st 2025

Alabama governor replaces entire International Motorsports Hall of Fame Commission after critical st

The results of a state audit have prompted Alabama Governor Kay Ivey to dismiss and replace the entire International Motorsports Hall of Fame Commission.

The International Motorsports Hall of Fame museum, located outside Talladega Superspeedway, is home to a number of historical racing artifacts. The audit, which covered the period from October 2019 through September 2024, revealed 35 issues ranging from financial issues to failures in legal compliance and procedures.

A 56-page report was issued on the findings from the audit. Among its conclusions were:

The Commission failed to design and implement controls requiring a sufficient review of bank account and credit card transactions, as a result expenditures were made that were either unallowable or not documented in a manner that allowability could be determined.
Cash received for sales was missing and not deposited to the bank accounts of the Commission.
Commission money was improperly deposited into the personal account of a Commission member.
The Commission failed to maintain a listing of historic vehicles and memorabilia in its possession.

One finding explained that “the Commission sold four vehicles at a collector car auction without obtaining the written permission required … All of these vehicles had been donated to the Commission. Three of the donor agreements included provisions that the vehicles could not be sold or otherwise transferred for noneducational purposes …”

The vehicles were listed as a 1980 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am – Talladega Pace Car; 1982 Pontiac Trans Am – Busch Clash Pace Car; 1986 Pontiac Grand Prix – 2+2 Aerocoupe; and 1983 Pontiac Trans Am – Talladega Pace Car.”

The findings also showed an “official demand was made to the former Accounts Manager requesting repayment totaling $246,610.10. The former Accounts Manager failed to appear at a meeting before the Chief Examiner and show just cause why the amounts charged should not be repaid; therefore, relief was denied, as evidenced by the Order of the Chief Examiner. The charges remain due and unpaid, and, as a result, the report will be certified to the Office of Attorney General for collection.”

The Alabama Daily reported that a letter was sent about Ivey’s decision, including to the board chairman and former state senator Gerald Dial. It read:

“I am writing to inform you that Governor Ivey has decided to remove all current members of the Motor Sports Hall of Fame Commission, for cause, effectively immediately. For various reasons, Governor Ivey believes this is the right time for a fresh start at the Hall of Fame.”

The Commission consists of 18 members appointed by the Governor and holding staggered eight-year terms. The new board, per the museum website, was appointed as of Oct. 31.

The new members are Dr. George Robert Booker, Judge Scott Brewer, Jimmy Creed, Gerald Creel Jr., Ricky Goodwin, Commissioner Darrell Ingram, Judge Chad Joiner, Jennie Jones, Scott Pierce, Bruce Ramsey Sr., Stanley Ruffin, Randall Shedd, Tammie Williams and Zach Wilson.

For more information: www.racer.com

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