Assemblymember Bill Emmerson Honors California Speedway President

Assemblymember Bill Emmerson (R-Redlands) recognizes California Speedway President Gillian Zucker as the 2006 Woman of the Year for the 63rd Assembly District.

"As President of California Speedway, Gillian Zucker oversees one of the busiest motorsports facilities in the country," Assemblymember Emmerson said.  "The Speedway has an economic impact on the local economy of $220 million, and it is the hard work of both Gillian and her staff that has made California Speedway a fixture in Southern California's sports and recreational world."

When Gillian Zucker was appointed fourth President of California Speedway on June 23, 2005, she became the first female president of a track hosting a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series event in the country.  Prior to her tenure with California Speedway, Ms. Zucker worked with both Daytona International Speedway and Kansas Speedway.  Over the past year, she has put an amazing amount of effort into marketing the Speedway and expanding its audience and use, while also increasing the number of amenities, including an extensive Midway redesign project, available for Speedway patrons.

"Gillian is a model of success for women in the community, and is truly an astounding individual.  I am honored to select Gillian Zucker as Woman of the Year for 2006," stated Assemblymember Emmerson.

The Woman of the Year event is an annual event to celebrate remarkable women in California who are making a difference in their communities.  Honorees from throughout the state were honored in Sacramento on Monday, March 20th during a special ceremony. Zucker was awarded with an Assembly resolution in honor of her service to our state and our country.  Assemblyman Emmerson will host a Woman of Distinction Reception to locally recognize Zucker as Woman of the Year, as well as 63 other Women of Distinction from the 63rd District on Thursday, March 30.

NASCAR returns to California Speedway for a Labor Day Weekend tradition September 1-3, 2006.  NEXTEL Cup competitors will be gunning for a spot in the "Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup" as the SONY HD 500 event plays a critical role in the "Race to the Chase."  Last year, Kyle Busch became the youngest race winner ever in NASCAR's top division and drivers Tony Stewart, Jimmie Johnson, Greg Biffle, Rusty Wallace and Mark Martin solidified their place in the Chase with good showings at California Speedway.  Labor Day weekend racing events at California Speedway will finish under the lights and includes the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series SONY HD 500 on Sunday, September 3; the NASCAR Busch Series Ameriquest 300 on Saturday, September 2; and the NASCAR Grand National Division, AutoZone West Series Relocate Here 200 presented by the County of San Bernardino on Friday, September 1.

For more information about the SONY HD 500 weekend at California Speedway, please visit www.californiaspeedway.com.