Jade Gurss, the former high-profile publicist for NASCAR star Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Budweiser, was named Tuesday as the director of corporate communications for Andretti Autosport. The IndyCar Series team, owned by former CART champion Michael Andretti, was until last season the home of Danica Patrick who now, ironically, will race for Earnhardt fulltime in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.
Gurss is a New York Times best-selling author, having penned autobiographies for both Earnhardt, a two-time NNS winner at the St. Louis-area track now known as Gateway Motorsports Park, and recent NASCAR Hall of Fame Inductee Darrell Waltrip. He also has a new book out on Earnhardt, "In The Red," a look back at the 2001 NASCAR Cup Series season that opened with the death of Earnhardt's father, seven-time NASCAR champion and NASCAR hall of famer, Dale Earnhardt.
"I can't imagine a better scenario than to be joining Andretti Autosport," Gurss said in a statement released by Andretti Autosport Tuesday. "I've always been very passionate about Indy car racing, and to be back in the sport with the most legendary name in racing, a roster of young, personable and fast drivers and a wide variety of sponsors is an ideal situation with immense potential. I can't wait to get started."
Andretti Autosport is a team in transition. Marco Andretti, son of team owner Michael, also a winner at the former Gateway International Raceway, and grandson of Formula 1 champion/Indianapolis 500/Daytona 500 winner Mario Andretti, and Ryan Hunter-Reay remain with the team. However, the departure of Patrick, the series' most popular driver along with the death of reigning Indy 500 winner Dan Wheldon, who was tabbed to replace her, has created a void not only within the team, but within the sport itself. James Hinchcliffe, the 2011 IndyCar Series' rookie of the year, will now take over driving duties for the third fulltime team.
The 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series is scheduled to kick off in St. Petersburg, Fla., March 25. For more information, visit the IndyCar Series' official Web site.
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