The Lake County Sheriff’s office in Minnesota arrested XR promoter Barry Braun on November 10 on a warrant originating in West Virginia. He’s awaiting to be extradited to West Virginia where he faces two felony charges related to fraud, with one resulting in possible prison time of up to 10 years.
The charges revolve around Braun’s attempt to reopen Pennsboro Speedway. In his efforts, per the criminal complaint’s case facts, it is alleged he owed PDK Construction a balance of $17,327.75 for completion of a guardrail at Pennsboro Speedway in 2024. “Mr. Braun’s Accounts reached a six-month low, followed by a substantial deposit from Merit Business Funding,” the criminal complaint further said. “Despite the cash advance, outgoing funds were directed to other individuals and obligations.”
The case facts go on to state: “Financial analysis revealed payments made to an individual publicly known to have previously been owed money by Mr. Braun, with these transactions occurring after the October 2024 race event promoted by XR Events. The findings indicate Mr. Braun used profits generated from that race event to pay prior creditors rather than PDK Construction for services rendered.”
Attempts to reach PDK Construction for comment were unsuccessful.
The case facts also note: “Throughout this investigation, it has been observed that Mr. Braun has a history of these types of business practices, to include observations of past debts incurred with months of deferment and citing similar issues regarding payment.”
West Virginia State Police issued a media release Wednesday night: “In September 2025, the West Virginia State Police Harrisville Detachment investigated a fraudulent scheme case involving Barry Braun with XR Events. The investigation uncovered a pattern of fraudulent activity and deception in dealings where Mr. Braun was involved, which focused on racing venues and their related business. Evidence of crimes were found and warrants concerning fraudulent schemes and an obtaining under false pretense charge were obtained in Ritchie County, West Virginia.”
The release goes on to request: “If any member of the public believes that they have been a victim of a crime where Mr. Braun may have been involved, they are encouraged to contact law enforcement in the jurisdiction where the incident may have occurred. In turn, that law enforcement body is requested to contact the West Virginia State Police Harrisville Detachment.”
Sources close to those near Pennsboro Speedway said the press release unleashed a “tidal wave” of complaints against Braun. On social media, racers complained of not receiving winnings from XR-promoted events. A court filing by a New York loan company complained that Braun had defaulted on that loan.
Braun’s charges relate to West Virginia statutes 61-3-24d(a) “Fraudulent schemes; cumulation of amounts where common scheme exists; penalties.” and 61-3-24 (d) “Obtaining money, property and services by false pretenses; disposing of property to defraud creditors; penalties.”
- 61-3-24d(a): “Any person who willfully deprives another of any money, goods, property or services by means of fraudulent pretenses, representations or promises shall be guilty of the larceny thereof.”
- 61-3-24 (d): “If a person, firm or corporation obtains labor, services or any other such thing of value from another by any false pretense, token or representation, with intent to defraud, the person, firm or corporation is guilty of theft of services. If the value of the labor, services or any other such thing of value is $1,000 or more, the person, firm or corporation is guilty of a felony, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be imprisoned in the penitentiary not less than one year nor more than ten years, or, in the discretion of the court, be confined in jail not more than one year and be fined not more than $2,500. If the value of the labor, services or any other such thing of value is less than $1,000, the person, firm or corporation is guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be confined in jail not more than one year or fined not more than $2,500, or both, in the discretion of the court.”
Ritchie County locals have been hesitant to comment on the developments, asking to not share their names in the story. One resident said, “A lot of work was done by a lot of our people, who put their heart and soul into the speedway. They worked their asses off to make it happen — and the facility looks nicer than it ever has. It is a shame it had to come to this.”
Mike Adaskaveg has written hundreds of stories since the website’s inception. This year marks his 54th year of covering auto racing. Adaskaveg got his start working for track photographer Lloyd Burnham at Connecticut’s Stafford Motor Speedway in 1970. Since then, he’s been a columnist, writer, and photographer, in racing and in mainstream media, for several outlets, including the Journal Inquirer, Boston Herald, Stock Car Racing, and Speedway Illustrated. Among Adaskaveg’s many awards are the 1992 Eastern Motorsport Press Association (EMPA) Ace Lane Photographer of the Year and the 2019 National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) George Cunningham Writer of the Year.
