LEBANON, Pa.: Rumors have been swirling on social media concerning Selinsgrove Speedway and ERS Promotions, LLC, the lease holder at the facility, for the better part of a year.
The speculation has centered around drivers, vendors, and utility bills not being paid. Public doubt over the future of ERS Promotions and the speedway reached a fever pitch over the last five weeks after shows were canceled, including the upcoming October two-day World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series event.
On Wednesday, the Fair Board, owners of the property, held a meeting to discuss the future of the speedway regarding ERS Promotions, LLC. No permanent resolution was reached, but the board did release a statement on the matter.
“The Selinsgrove Fair Board is aware of the situation with Selinsgrove Speedway and ERS Promotions. We are working on an amicable resolution for all parties. We would like to reiterate that Selinsgrove Speedway will remain a racetrack. We ask for your patience at this time as we work toward a resolution.”
Stephanie Baker and her sons Ethan and Reece took over the speedway at the end of the 2022 season. They held special events in 2023, including the year-end Jim Nace Memorial National Open, which paid $26,000 to the winner plus lap money.
Problems started to surface before the event but increased after the conclusion of the 2023 season. A number of drivers struggled to get paid from the finale and were forced to wait more than a month before finally receiving payment. Jeff Halligan, who finished 13th in the Jim Nace Memorial, didn’t receive his money until nine months later.
“There were multiple phone calls and Facebook messages, and it was radio silence,” Halligan said. “I’ve never had that happen to me before. I would’ve understood if money was tight, but there was no communication. It’s a shame.”
In May of this year, All Star Enterprises, LLC, filed a suit against ERS Promotions for $10,800 debt from the August 20th, 2023, event at the speedway. A final judgment was issued for $17,403.85, which also includes lawyer’s fees and reasonable costs. Baker did not appear at the hearing.
Since then, five other lawsuits for a lack of payment have been filed. Suits by Saylor & Paige Custom Construction, LLC, and W.A. DeHart, Inc., have been closed. The combined total judgement for the two cases was just north of $10,500.
There are also three active cases. Affordable Fuels, Donald Leiby, and Mike Cleck Paving and Sealcoating, LLC have filed suits for a total of just over $19,700.
Aside from the lawsuits, there have been other financial issue at the speedway. Fans took to social media after not receiving refunds for the rained out Pennsylvania Speedweek show from July of 2023.
There have also been troubles with utility companies. According to a source, PP&L did shut power off at the speedway. There are multiple lines into the facility, two on the speedway account and one on the fair board account.
SprintCarUnlimited.com has also reached out to other companies, and according to the owners of those businesses, ERS Promotions still owes money for clay and transportation of clay to the facility.
Baker and ERS Promotions have issued denials concerning unpaid bills through multiple Facebook posts and other social media outlets. Slow responses and other issues have been attributed to an accident Baker suffered last fall and a recent surgery.
The posts also attributed the recent cancellations to Baker’s health. The last race at the speedway was held on July 12. A race postponed from earlier in the year fell on one of those cancellation dates, and drivers and teams have been given no information on refunds.
“It’s just something that you would think would never happen,” Late Model driver Steve Campbell said. “It’s a very bizarre situation that she doesn’t contact people, and now, the races are dropped. It seems like a donation.
“No matter what the business is, you don’t run it like that and expect people to come back. I’ve been there all my life and worked there with Steve [Inch] and Mike [Heffner], and the last thing I want is to see something happen to the track … but, they have to do something.”
Stephane Baker and ERS Promotions, reportedly, have a 10-year lease at the speedway. The regime just finished its second season. Attempts to reach Baker for comment were unsuccessful.