They don't play football at Texas Motor Speedway -- at least not yet -- but that didn't stop track president Eddie Gossage from making a little football bet with his counterpart at Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama.
Gossage and Talladega president Rick Humphrey have come up with a "friendly wager" for Thursday's BCS national championship game between No. 2 Texas and No. 1 Alabama. The loser will have to fly the flag of the winning speedway on their property beginning Friday morning and throughout the weekend. The losing track president also will have to wear a golf shirt and hat of the winning football team. All this will likely prompt Gossage and Humphrey to swallow a bit of pride considering TMS and Talladega are owned by rivals Speedway Motorsports Inc. and International Speedway Corporation, respectively.
In keeping with tradition set forth by many a mayor or governor, Gossage and Humphrey also will offer up some special home-state fare. TMS will provide Sonny Bryan's Smokehouse beef brisket while Talladega is bidding Dreamland Barbeque ribs.
“I’m always up for a good bet,” Gossage said in a release. “I think Rick will look great in burnt orange and the Texas Motor Speedway flag will look great flying over Talladega Superspeedway. As his former boss, I think he owes me a good meal and those Dreamland ribs will be perfect.”
Of course, Humphrey is confident the Crimson Tide will be victorious.
“I look forward to seeing photos of the Talladega Superspeedway flag flying over Texas Motor Speedway after the Tide rolls over the Longhorns,” Humphrey said in a release. “I may even have to call Eddie on Friday morning and play the ‘Bama fight song for him as he hoists our flag wearing an Alabama shirt and hat. Our staff is looking forward to dining on some delicious Texas beef for lunch next week while we revel in another national championship for the University of Alabama. This has all the makings of a very good
week.”
Here's hoping there are some follow-up photos, no matter who wins this bet. Stay tuned.
-- Michele Vincze
For the Horns to have beaten Bama in this championship game would be tantamount to any NASCAR Sprint Cup driver to win Daytona with seven cylinders.
Posted by: Ron Brown | January 25, 2010 at 05:05 AM