Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage pets Lil’ Dale after speaking with the media during a press conference on Friday at Texas Motor Speedway. Photo by Mike Haag

By Mike Haag, Raceday San Antonio

The news of the death of former Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage hit me hard when I got word Thursday evening.

Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage. (Brandon Wade/Getty Images for Texas Motor Speedway)

It was one of those “Say it isn’t so” type of moments.

Eddie died after battling cancer. He was 65. He is survived by his wife Melinda, daughter Jessica, son Dustin and daughter-in-law Lauren as well as his grandchildren Lyra, Evelyn, and Oliver.

Eddie’s career spanned 32 years promoting major racing events at Charlotte Motor Speedway and at Texas Motor Speedway. He was a marketing genius when it came to promoting races, developing creative publicity stunts, pre-race shows and over-the-top entertainment for race fans.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. (R), driver of the #88 Nationwide/Justice League Chevrolet talks with Texas Motor Speedway president, Eddie Gossage, during a press conference at Texas Motor Speedway on November 3, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Mike Haag/RacedaySA.com)

Eddie’s 25-year reign as Texas Motor Speedway’s first general manager will go down in history as being legendary. From promoting races where monkeys sold race programs to installing the world’s largest television screen on the back straightaway, there were “No Limits” to what he could do at “The Great American Speedway.”

When I first started covering the races in 2008 fulltime at Texas Motor Speedway for the San Antonio Express-News, Eddie made it a point to find me, introduce himself to me and said, “thanks for coming and if you need anything, here is my card and number. Call me anytime.”

That is when a special relationship began between Eddie and me. From that point forward until he retired in 2021, Eddie made it a point to always be available for interviews prior to race weekends. He never turned down an interview.

Texas Motor Speedway president, Eddie Gossage, stands with Vice chairman of NASCAR, Mike Helton, during the Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame luncheon benefitting Speedway Children’s Charities-Texas Chapter at Texas Motor Speedway on November 4, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Sarah Crabill/Getty Images for Texas Motor Speedway)

During my second trip to TMS to cover the Fall NASCAR race in 2008, I got invited to attend a special breakfast/brunch prepared by a chef that Eddie always had for a select group of reporters that was held in a conference room in the Speedway Club building.

At these breakfast events, Eddie would hold court and would tell stories and give us a lot of “off the record” information on a wide range of racing issues. It was a way for reporters like me to get an inside look from Eddie’s perspective regarding the key issues involving the sport of NASCAR or INDYCAR. Some of the stories Eddie told us were bizarre and often legendary.

Jesus Apolinar of San Antonio, TX displays his Jeff Gordon tattoo honoring his late father during a press conference with Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage at Texas Motor Speedway on April 7, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

Eddie would often bring in celebrities and on a few occasions, we had breakfast with Speedway Motorsports Chairman and Founder Bruton Smith and his son Speedway Motorsports President and CEO Marcus Smith. Some of the most memorable ones included Robbie Knievel and the guys from Duck Commander and the television show Duck Dynasty. The breakfast events always ended with Eddie giving us a goodie bag filled with snacks, event programs and some type of TMS merchandise. He would say, “I know you all are not supposed to accept gifts. This is not a gift. This is just something for you to enjoy this weekend or later.”

Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage announces that the track has landed race fans from all seven continents for Sunday’s AAA Texas 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway.

During the entire 19 years that Dawn Hall and I hosted the TrackSmack radio show, Eddie always made himself available to do a segment with us. It did not matter if it was an early morning time slot on Saturday mornings at KTSA AM, Ticket 760 AM, ESPN 1250 AM or at late-night recording at 9 p.m., Eddie was always willing and able to be a part of our shows.

Eddie treated everyone in the media that he met like a friend. He took the time to get to know us. He knew that I was a high school English teacher and he always asked about how teaching was going and how the kids in my classroom were doing. He often said, “We need more teachers like you, Mike.”

FORT WORTH, TX – AUGUST 27: Graham Rahal, driver of the Mi-Jack/RLL Honda of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing celebrates with Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage after the Verizon IndyCar Series Firestone 600 at Texas Motor Speedway on August 27, 2016 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Ralph Lauer/Getty Images for Texas Motor Speedway)

One of the things that I always respected and loved about Eddie was his appreciation for fashion and looking professional, no matter if it was race weekend or a special occasion at the track. He wore some nice suits and sportscoats and he loved to wear cufflinks with his French cuff shirts.

I also like French cuff shirts and I have a collection of about 200 pairs of cufflinks, many of which are vintage and antique.

One day while shopping at an antique store, I found a pair of cufflinks that were gold and had the initials EG. I decided to buy them for Eddie. Ironically, he just happened to be wearing a French cuff shirt at a race the next time I was at TMS. I gave those cufflinks to Eddie. He was thrilled and so happy to get them that he removed the ones that he was wearing and put on the ones I gave him. On future occasions when he was wearing them, he often would show them to me and say how much he appreciated them.

Eddie Gossage was a one-of-a-kind guy and a real class act. He will go down in motorsports history as one of the greatest track presidents and promoters of all time. He will be remembered for years to come, and he will be missed.

RIP Eddie!