New Position Created to Expand Publicity Efforts of Southern California Motorsports Venue

California Speedway today announced the creation of a new position and has named Andrew Francis Director of Entertainment Integration. California Speedway President Gillian Zucker made the announcement.

Francis will oversee the integration of the music, film and television industries into California Speedway events, expanding initiatives that bring the stars and buzz to the track as NASCAR's stop in Hollywood. A main focus will be to help create events and activities to keep California Speedway and its ticket sales efforts top of mind 12 months a year and solidify NASCAR as part of the fabric of the community. Francis will be based out of the Speedway's Los Angeles office.

"Andrew's enthusiasm and knowledge of pop culture and of NASCAR is second-to-none," said Zucker. "Having someone of his caliber to focus on creating events and activities that maximize opportunities in the nation's second largest media market is sure to provide benefit for not only California Speedway but NASCAR, our competitors, sponsors and broadcast partners."

Since 1999, Francis has served as Director of West Coast Sales at Wilhelmina Artist Management where he is responsible for signing talent and developing endorsement, sponsorship and licenship deals for a powerhouse roster including: Usher, Jessica Simpson, Brandy and Jimmie Johnson, among others. Francis signed to exclusive representation contracts Usher, Jimmie Johnson, Martin McBride, Vendela, the TV Show "America's Next Top Model" and Star Search. He played an integral role in bringing Jessica Simpson to Daytona International Speedway as Grand Marshal for the 2002 Pepsi 400.

He is a 1995 graduate of the University of Southern California, Annenberg School of Communication. Francis began his career in the entertainment/sports business while in college as the assistant to the Director of Merchandising for the Los Angeles Kings, where he was instrumental in developing numerous marketing plans centered around the launching and marketing of the acquisition of Wayne Gretzky. He left the Kings in 1996 to explore opportunities in the film business by joining the team at Savoy Pictures for Producer Gigi Pritzker and helped to develop and produce "The Wedding Planner" with Jennifer Lopez and "Richochet River" starring Kate Hudson.

"I am so excited to have this great opportunity to work at California Speedway," said Francis, 34, who resides in El Segundo, Calif., with his wife Jane and they are expecting their first child in July. "I plan to use my knowledge and experience of the entertainment industry to further solidify California Speedway in the mindset of fans and help drive ticket sales. It's important that Los Angeles knows that the greatest spectator sport in the world is NASCAR. I can't wait to get started."

California Speedway annually hosts two NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series events - the largest single-day ticketed events in the state, the AMA Superbike series and the Southern California Historic Sports Car Festival. For more information on California Speedway, please visit www.californiaspeedway.com.