Texas Motor Speedway president Eddie Gossage made good on his BCS championship bet with Talladega Superspeedway counterpart Rick Humphrey on Friday by personally raising the Alabama speedway's flag in front of the TMS administration building. Gossage lost the bet after Alabama defeated Texas 37-21 in Thursday national title game.
Gossage, wearing a University of Alabama hat, braved the frigid winter temperatures as he was hoisted up on a scissor lift to the top of the 25-foot flag pole, where he hung the Talladega flag alongside flags of the United States, the state of Texas and TMS. The Talladega flag will fly throughout the weekend at the 1.5-mile track. No telling on how long Gossage wore the Crimson Tide hat.
“I knew we may be in trouble when Colt (McCoy, Texas quarterback) went out after five snaps due to the shoulder injury, but I was proud of the way the Longhorns kept battling and rallied to 24-21 in the fourth quarter,” Gossage said in a release. “Alabama is a great team, but you did notice they needed a Southlake (Texas) Carroll High product (‘Bama quarterback Greg McElroy) to help lead them to the national title. Congrats to Alabama on a great season as well as Rick, who will get to enjoy some real barbeque next week.”
To complete the wager, Gossage will send Humphrey and his Talladega staff some Sonny Bryan's Smokehouse beef brisket next week.
“I’m very excited to know that the Talladega Superspeedway flag is flying over Texas Motor Speedway,” Humphrey said in a Talladega release. “But more importantly, I’m excited for the University of Alabama and the pride that a national championship brings to our state. I love Talladega Speedway and I love the Alabama Crimson Tide. Today is a great day for both of us.”
Humphrey added on his "Corner Office" blog: "More than 20 years ago I interned under Eddie at Charlotte Motor Speedway and over the years he’s fed me and others a lot of 'bull.' This time, however, it’s some bull I can actually eat."
-- Michele Vincze
Photo: Special to the Star-Telegram/Bob Booth
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