Former Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage Has Passed
There’s no doubt about it. Eddie Gossage was one of the greatest promoters the motorsports world has ever known. Gossage, 65, lost his battle with cancer on Thursday, May 16, after serving as president and ringmaster at Texas Motor Speedway for 25 years. He retired from the post following NASCAR’s All-Star race at the facility in June of 2021.
Gossage began his motorsports career working for Miller Brewing Company and was snapped up by Bruton Smith, who recognized him as the showman he was. He joined Speedway Motorsports in 1989 after stints with Nashville International Raceway and Bristol International Raceway. Acknowledging to Racer magazine that he’d been in the workplace since sixth grade, Gossage said he was looking forward to doing nothing after 42 seasons working with both NASCAR and INDYCAR. “No matter how much time I spend with grandkids,” he told the magazine, “it’s never enough and I want more.”
Gossage made Texas Motor Speedway into an entertainment attraction in the Dallas/Fort Worth suburbs and brought entertainment – as well as NASCAR, INDYCAR and World of Outlaws motorsports – to the venue. There were car shows and concerts at the track and, in 2015 he led the installation of “Big Hoss”, a 22,704-square-foot video screen on the back stretch of the race track.
Once retired, Gossage used his knowledge to engage people on social media, talking about racing and sharing his views on life in general. As occurred in his motorsports career, he was either loved or reviled for his opinions. He remained involved in the sport from afar, even as he enjoyed family time.
As news of Gossage’s passing spread, so did accolades he would certainly have enjoyed. In particular, a guy about as volatile as Eddie Gossage, current NHRA Top Fuel racer, NASCAR three-time champion Tony Stewart said on X (formerly Twitter), “Beyond shocked to learn of Eddie Gossage’s passing. The man was larger than life and one of THE biggest supporters of auto racing,” Stewart said. “He was always someone I looked to for guidance as a track promoter at Eldora. Eddie certainly made his mark and motorsports is better for it. RIP.”
The NTT INDYCAR SERIES produced a statement from Jay Frye, the series president: “Eddie Gossage was a giant in the motorsports industry. HIs endless creativity, flair and dedication to the fan experience at Texas Motor Speedway raised the bar for racetracks across America. Eddie was a phenomenal supporter of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. Our races at TMS always were among the most highly anticipated weekends on the schedule, both for the incredible on-track action and the memorable promotions Eddie turned from ideas into reality.” The series held, until this season, at least one event at Texas Motor Speedway and, in its IRL incarnation, as many as two races each year.
NASCAR released a statement: “Eddie Gossage was a consummate promoter whose outside-the-box ideas helped engage fans across the country. He was truly passionate about motorsports and always looking for the next great idea to bring new fans to the sport and keep them entertained at the racetrack.”
Gossage’s cancer diagnosis came several years ago. He engaged stem cell treatment that gained him more years with his family. The cancer recently returned. Service arrangements have not yet been set and will be announced at a later date.