Eddie Gossage

William Edgar Gossage (born October 15, 1958) is an American public speaker and the former president of Texas Motor Speedway.[1][2] In June 2021, he stepped down from the position at Texas Motor Speedway after 27 years of running the speedway.[3] Gossage is known in the NASCAR community as a promoter who had tried numerous, out-of-the-box promotional stunts to promote tracks and companies.

Eddie Gossage
Gossage speaking at a public appearance in 2019
Born
William Edgar Gossage

(1958-10-15) October 15, 1958
Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
EducationBA Mass Communication
Alma materMiddle Tennessee State University
Occupation(s)Racing promoter, public speaker
Known forPresident of Texas Motor Speedway
Spouse
Lena Jane Williams
​
​
(m. 1979; div. 1997)​
Children2, Jessica and Dustin
Websiteeddiegossage.com

Early life and education

Gossage was born on October 15, 1958, in Nashville, Tennessee to H.L. and Lucille Gossage. Early in his life, Gossage had ambitions of becoming a player in the NFL. Playing as an end for Pioneer Christian Academy,[4] midway through his high school career he would decide to switch his focus towards journalism. He would commit to Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), where he would major in journalism.[5][6] While at MTSU, Gossage would write articles for the university's student newspaper, Sidelines along with sports articles for local Tennessee newspaper The Tennessean.[7][8]

Career

Early promotional career (1980-1994)

Gossage began his career in April 1980 as director of public relations and assistant general manager with Nashville International Raceway.[9] In the following year, the company moved Gossage to manage Bristol Motor Speedway in February.[10][11]

In October 1983, Gossage joined the Miller Brewing Company as marketing communications supervisor, working for the company's racing public relations program.[12] However, after being tired of constant traveling that the program made him do, he left the Miller Brewing Company and joined Charlotte Motor Speedway in March 1989 as the vice president of public relations.[4]

Texas Motor Speedway (1995-2021)

In 1994, Speedway Motorsports, Inc. owner, Bruton Smith decided to build a new track. He handed over the project to Gossage to help determine a market location and a suitable tract of land for the new venue.[13] Texas Motor Speedway's track debuted on April 6, 1997, running the Interstate Batteries 500.[14] In 2004, Gossage became the president at TMS.[15]

With the city of Dallas, Texas proposing a bid to host the 2012 Summer Olympics, in 2000, Gossage would propose the integration of motorsports into the Olympic Games as a demonstration sport. Gossage would propose using Texas Motor Speedway as a racing venue, along with using the track for several other sports.[16]

In 2007, rumors speculated that Gossage would replace the commissioner of the NHL, Gary Bettman. Both Gossage and the NHL would deny the claims, with Gossage saying that he was loyal to SMI and Texas Motor Speedway.[17]

In 2014, Gossage, with the help of Japanese electronics company Panasonic built Big Hoss TV, which was certified by the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest HDTV in the world.[18]

In June 2021, Gossage stepped down as president and general manager of Texas Motor Speedway.[19]

Public speaking (2021-)

Following his retirement from Texas Motor Speedway, Gossage would focus solely on a public speaking career.[20]

Other racing work

Gossage has served on the board of directors for Speedway Children’s Charities from 1997 to 2021, a member of the NASCAR Hall of Fame Nominating Committee, board of professional advisors for the MTSU College of Media and Entertainment, and member of the NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting Panel.[21]

He served as a member of the IndyCar Iconic Committee, which selected the Dallara DW-12; and serves on the Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America board of directors.[22][23]

Awards and recognitions
  • In 2017, he received the 2017 Middle Tennessee State University Distinguished Alumnus Award.[25]
  • In 2018, Eldora Speedway infield tunnel, Love Tunnel, was renamed as Gossage Tunnel in reference to Eddie Gossage.[26]
  • Gossage was named to D Magazine (Dallas Magazine) list of the area's Top 500 business leaders from 2005 to 2021.[27]

Personal life

Gossage has two brothers, Jeff and Craig.[28]

His first child, Jessica Amber, was born on December 18, 1980.[29] His second child, Dustin, was born 10 months later.[5]

In July of 2009, Gossage was diagnosed with cancer and began treatment in the spring of the same year.[30] In September of that same year, Gossage announced that his cancer was in complete remission.[31]

References
  1. "'It's time to close this book': After 25 years at Texas Motor Speedway, president Eddie Gossage will step down from position". The Dallas Morning News. May 13, 2021. Retrieved June 10, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. "Texas Motor Speedway's Gossage stepping down". Fort Worth Business. May 13, 2021. Retrieved June 10, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. Leslie, Mike (June 11, 2021). "Eddie Gossage set to step down, after 25 years of memories". WFAA. Retrieved June 10, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. Woody, Larry (April 3, 1997). "Building Texas track one-time experience for Gossage". The Tennessean. p. 26. Retrieved December 1, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) open access
  5. Smith, Jack Z. (October 22, 1995). "Speeding towards N. Texas' high-octane future". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. p. 19. Retrieved December 1, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  6. Ragland-Hudgins, Mealand (October 7, 2017). "Texas Motor Speedway president, Nashville native Eddie Gossage named MTSU Distinguished Alumnus". Daily News Journal. Retrieved June 10, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. Hale, Faye (April 4, 1980). "'Sidelines' named top paper". The Daily News-Journal. p. 5. Retrieved December 1, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) open access
  8. "Survey shows residents recognize rights". The Daily News-Journal. June 1, 1980. p. 26. Retrieved December 1, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) open access
  9. Hayward, Len (May 13, 2021). "Long-time Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage to step down". Corpus Christi Caller Times. Retrieved June 10, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. "Nashville Raceway PR Job to Roberts". The Tennessean. March 17, 1981. p. 17. Retrieved December 1, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) open access
  11. Woody, Larry (May 17, 2021). "Commentary: Eddie Gossage made racing fun, will be missed". Main Street Nashville. Retrieved June 10, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  12. "Gossage directs racing PR for Miller's". Kingsport Times-News. October 28, 1983. p. 14. Retrieved December 1, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) open access
  13. "Texas Motor Speedway president Eddie Gossage to step down after All-Star Race". NASCAR. May 13, 2021. Retrieved June 10, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  14. "Eddie Gossage stresses he's not retiring, just moving on from TMS". Sports Business Journal. May 14, 2021. Retrieved June 10, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  15. Barnes, Joey (June 30, 2021). "INTERVIEW: Eddie Gossage, signing off". Racer. Retrieved June 10, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  16. Woody, Larry (July 21, 2000). "NASCAR going for gold?". The Tennessean. p. 36. Retrieved December 1, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  17. Blount, Terry (January 31, 2007). "Gossage: I'm not going anywhere". ESPN. Retrieved December 1, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  18. Franco, Michael (March 20, 2014). "World's largest TV, 'Big Hoss,' is as long as a jet". CNET. Retrieved December 1, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  19. Sturbin, John (August 8, 2021). "New race leader: Rob Ramage replaces Eddie Gossage as Texas Motor Speedway's general manager". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved June 10, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  20. "Eddie Gossage Named KDDP Banquet Featured Guest Speaker". Racing America. November 23, 2021. Retrieved December 1, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  21. "TMS president joins Hall of Fame process". ESPN. April 20, 2011. Retrieved June 10, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  22. Swanger, Ben (December 1, 2020). "Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage Was Born to Ride". D Magazine. Retrieved June 10, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  23. Martin, Bruce (February 27, 2015). "Gossage: 'I Think This Season Is Going To Be Spectacular'". Indycar. Retrieved June 10, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  24. "People: Hallmark Financial launches new property division". Fort Worth Business Press. August 31, 2015. Retrieved June 10, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  25. Bonkowski, Jerry (October 5, 2017). "Texas Motor Speedway president Eddie Gossage to receive distinguished alumni award". NBC Sports. Retrieved June 10, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  26. "Why the Eldora Speedway infield tunnel is named after Eddie Gossage". Autoweek. July 17, 2018. Retrieved June 10, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  27. Pruett, Marshall (April 30, 2021). "Inside CART's 2001 Texas debacle: The lead-up". Racer. Retrieved June 10, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  28. "Obituary for Lucille GOSSAGE Craighead (Aged 65)". The Tennessean. January 21, 1994. p. 15. Retrieved December 1, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) open access
  29. "Speedway's Gossage Is New Father". The Tennessean. December 19, 1980. p. 34. Retrieved December 1, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  30. Andro, Anthony (July 23, 2009). "Texas Motor Speedway president Eddie Gossage fighting cancer". Boston Herald. Retrieved June 10, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  31. "Gossage: Cancer in remission". ESPN. September 17, 2009. Retrieved December 1, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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