The stepdaughter of legendary NASCAR engine and car builder Ray Fox was arrested Tuesday after police said she embezzled more than $20,000 from an auto racing organization headed by her stepdad. Deborah Sue Burdick was charged with grand theft after South Daytona investigators said she pilfered about $21,000 from the Living Legends of Auto Racing, according to an arrest report. Living Legends, founded in 1993, recognizes, honors and promotes the pioneers of beach and stock car racing. The organization has more than 600 members from around the world, according to its Web site. The 56-year-old Burdick, who was released from the Volusia County Branch Jail on Tuesday afternoon on $10,000 bail, did not return a phone message. Police said she had been siphoning the money since April 2006. Fox, now in his 90s, was an early NASCAR engine and race car builder, as well as an engine inspector in his later years. He is also president of Living Legends of Auto Racing, based in South Daytona. He did not return a call for comment. Based on police reports, it’s not clear why the money was taken. Burdick’s husband told detectives she provides financial assistance for her son. Two Living Legends board members told investigators that Deborah Sue Burdick’s gambling problem is why she stole, the report states. When Burdick was confronted by Coolidge at a board meeting in August about the $7,500 check, Burdick said “she needed the money,” and she did not have her mother “or anyone to turn to,” the report states.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(11-12-2009)
