Ex-Saugus Driver Burdett Dies; Had HIV

Steve Burdett, a former Sportsman division driver at Saugus Speedway who retired last season after announcing he had tested positive for HIV, has died after a five-month illness. He was 31.

Burdett died Thursday at 7:30 a.m. at his home in West Hollywood after battling lymphoma since February, according to his mother, Nanette Matuska. Burdett had been hospitalized periodically until a few weeks ago, she added.

Burdett had recently told fellow racers he was gay.