Best-selling author Gurss turns up in IndyCar
Not only is Gurss well into the process of launching his third book, “In the Red," in conjunction with the Daytona 500, but the Shawnee Heights and Washburn graduate just this week began a new job as director of corporate communication for Andretti Autosport, a high-profile team in IndyCar racing.
Gurss’ new job, which necessitated a move from North Carolina to Indianapolis, came about after he completed work on “In the Red," which chronicles the 2001 NASCAR season of Gurss’ former star client, Dale Earnhardt Jr.
The job offer was a pleasant surprise, coming after the wife of Andretti Autosport driver Ryan Hunter-Reay told Gurss that there might be an opening in the organization, headed by former open-wheel star Michael Andretti.
“I was asked if I would be interested in discussing (a job) with them and I said, ‘Absolutely,’ " Gurss said. “Within what seemed like a few short days I was interviewing and then being offered the position.
“Really, anything their corporation does as far as media or communications, I’ll basically be overseeing all of that."
His new job will put Gurss back on the road as a PR rep, something he hasn't done full time since his eighth and final season with Earnhardt Jr. in 2007.
“There's 16 races on the IndyCar circuit and, believe me, compared to the 38 that I had been doing on the NASCAR side, that sounds great," Gurss said.
“I'm very excited about it, and having grown up there in the Midwest, IndyCar was always sort of my love or my passion so I'm excited about getting back involved in that. That's part of the energy of looking forward to getting out there and being at the events." More at Topeka Capital Journal