October 6, 2025

Audit Finds Theft, Fraud at International Motorsports Hall of Fame

By Rick McCann
Blue RAM Media

October 6, 2025

TALLADEGA, Ala.

The Motorsports Hall of Fame is a place that honors the great racecar drivers of our state and a place where thousands of people come every year to view the memorabilia and the collection that is on display inside.

But, while many people were looking at all of those things, a trusted employee, Karen Lakey, was looking at something else. Money that did not belong to her but that she wanted just the same.

According to a state audit, Lakey, the former Motorsports Hall of Fame Commission accounts manager, allegedly stole $236,610 from the commission.

But how? Why wasn’t it noticed before the audit?

While the Alabama Department of Public Examiners didn’t point fingers, they did release further details on Friday that detailed numerous improprieties in the bookkeeping and said that it was being investigated by the Attorney General’s Office.

Lakey could face serious felony charges and possible prison time if indicted on the theft charges.

According to a report, Lackey transferred funds to her personal account, wrote small checks to herself that didn’t need two signatures, and stayed under the radar.

Other findings from the report include a former Motorsports Hall of Fame executive director purchasing a 1968 Camaro Convertible pace car from the commission for $15,000 in April 2023. The Commission indicated to auditors that the vehicle was advertised for bid, and the former executive director was the only individual who bid on the vehicle. The Commission provided an advertisement in a local newspaper that advertising bids were being accepted for a “1968 Chevrolet.” The advertisement provided no additional information regarding the car, including the model, according to the audit.

The advertisement appeared in a newspaper in December 2021, and 16 months later, the former executive director paid for the automobile. Subsequent to the advertisement and prior to the former executive director’s payment, repairs to the vehicle were completed, totaling $27,917.72. Of this amount, $22,917.72 was verified as having been paid from commission funds, according to the audit.

The spouse of the former executive director also purchased a 1998 Ford F-150 truck from the Commission for $1,000.00 in March 2024. The Commission indicated the vehicle was advertised for bid, and the spouse of the former executive director was the only individual who bid on the vehicle. Documentation that the truck was advertised was provided by the Commission. However, the advertisement did not include any information on the truck other than that bids were being taken for a “1998 Ford Truck, as is.”