Racer
Description
John Andretti's life was driven by family and fueled by a passion for racing. In Racer, Andretti candidly recounts how these powerful forces shaped a diverse professional driving career. The honesty and character that defined Andretti's life offer a behind-the-scenes look at racing at all levels full of lessons in racing and life supplied by this fiery and fiercely competitive driver.
John is a wonderful storyteller, and the book is comprised of a series of John's stories as told to bestselling author Jade Gurss (Beast, In the Red, Driver #8). The book opens with John's memories of growing up as a member of auto racing's famous family. His father, Aldo, is the twin brother of Mario Andretti. The book offers an intimate look at the interplay between these two men, and how their intensity and integrity shaped John's life.
John was one of the world's most versatile race car drivers, and Racer includes John's remembrances of scoring wins in the NASCAR Cup series, IndyCar, IMSA sports car racing, and in sprint cars and midgets on dirt ovals across the country. He also tells about his experience winning the 24 Hours of Daytona, competing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and even his colorful venture racing an NHRA Top Fuel dragster.
The powerful narrative includes John's substantial charity work, and the story of how he contracted colon cancer at age 53 and turned his affliction into a public awareness campaign.
Racer is an intimate look at racing at the highest levels as well as life lessons from one of the world's most celebrated motorsports family.
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John Andrew Andretti (March 12, 1963 - January 30, 2020) was an American race car driver. He won individual races in CART, IMSA GTP, Rolex Sports Car Series, and NASCAR during his career. He was the son of Aldo Andretti, older brother of racer Adam Andretti, nephew of Mario Andretti, and first cousin to IndyCar champion Michael and Jeff Andretti.
Andretti devoted vast amounts of time and energy to raise funds for sick children. For 23 years, John's "Race for Riley" program raised more than $4.8 million for Riley Children's Hospital in Indianapolis. With his long-time sponsor Window World, Andretti also helped raised millions for the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Andretti was diagnosed with colon cancer at age 53. He soon began a program to raise awareness and to encourage people to get colonoscopies at or before age 50. As he went through multiple surgeries and barbaric chemotherapy treatments, he never stopped sharing his message.
Andretti passed away on January 30, 2020, with his entire family (wife Nancy, son Jarett, and daughters Olivia and Amelia) by his side.