By Ron Wynn
NASHVILLE, TN — The ongoing effort of NASCAR to increase diversity and inclusion regarding Blacks and other people of color has resulted in an unprecedented move with both local and national implications. Dover Motorsports COO Mike Tatoian announced last Saturday that Erik Moses had been named new president of Nashville Superspeedway. Moses becomes not only the first Black person in charge at the Nashville Superspeedway, but the first to be president of any NASCAR track.
The Superspeedway has been closed since 2011, but is slated to reopen June 20, 2021. The main reason for Moses’ hiring, aside from a longtime
relationship between Moses and Tatoian that dates back to their years together on the Military Bowl’s board of directors, is the feeling Moses can help Nashville acquire a NASCAR Cup race. His most recent position was as founding president of the XFL’s DC Defenders. While the league as a whole was unsuccessful, the Defenders were among its leaders in both ticket sales and social media engagement.
Moses also has a long background in sports events and administration. He was senior vice president at the Washington D.C. based Events DC over a decade, and in addition worked in various city government positions. There has never been a NASCAR Cup race at the Nashville Superspeedway, but they have hosted races in the Infinity Series, Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series, as well as the IndyCar Series.
“This is going to be a challenge, but I view it as an opportunity regardless simply because there hasn’t been racing (at the Superspeedway) in 10 years,” Moses told USA Today Network – Tennessee. “To restart something is the kind of professional challenge I look forward to. It’s fantastic to know that fans are wanting this back and wanting NASCAR Cup Series back. The drivers – they are the show – and they said they want the Cup Series back in Nashville. If they want to be in Nashville we’re going to make certain that we provide the best show possible.”
Moses is 49. He is slated to begin work by the end of September.