FORT WORTH (WBAP/KLIF) – Texas Motor Speedway announced a major change in leadership on Thursday.
After more than three decades of service to race fans on behalf of Speedway Motorsports, including the last 25 years at Texas Motor Speedway, Eddie Gossage will step down as President following the June 13 NASCAR All-Star Race.
“The timing just feels right after 32 years with the company,” Gossage said. “The Smith family and Speedway Motorsports changed my life and I will forever be appreciative and grateful. Before my wife Melinda and I chart our next adventure, I’m thankful that I get to come full circle as a promoter with the NASCAR All-Star Race.”
After working for Nashville International Raceway, Bristol International Raceway and Miller Brewing Company in motorsports management and public relations capacities, Gossage joined Speedway Motorsports in 1989 as the Vice President of Public Relations at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Bruton Smith took Gossage under his wing as he began to purchase property in North Texas and design plans for what would become what is known as the finest motorsports facility in Texas.
“When I built Texas Motor Speedway, I had plenty of architects, accountants and attorneys, but what I really needed was promotion,” said Smith. “That’s where Eddie came in. They say ‘everything’s bigger in Texas’, and I needed a big personality in Dallas/Fort Worth. Eddie’s become a shrewd businessman over the years, but he’s remained a publicist at heart, and he never forgot what the entertainment business is about—having FUN.
Under Gossage’s leadership, Texas Motor Speedway has hosted millions of fans at NASCAR, IndyCar and World of Outlaw races, produced car shows and concerts with The Rolling Stones, ZZ Top and Willie Nelson, and in 2015, built the world’s largest LED high-definition television.
Speedway Motorsports will launch a nationwide search for Gossage’s successor.
Listen to Clayton Neville’s story below:
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