Maria Gladowski has joined California Speedway as Senior Director of Communications, it was announced today by California Speedway President Gillian Zucker. In her new role, Gladowski is overseeing public relations, entertainment, advertising, promotions, community relations and the show car program for the track while reporting to Zucker.

"California Speedway continues to attract the best talent from across the entertainment industry and the addition of Maria Gladowski to our team speaks volumes in regard to how attractive careers in NASCAR have become," said Zucker. "We could not be more thrilled to have someone of her background and expertise to lead and enhance our communications efforts."

Gladowski is heading communications for the West Coast's premier sports and entertainment venue and its offerings, including two NASCAR races that are the largest single-day ticketed events in the state of California, a new, multi-million dollar "Opportunity, California FanZone" featuring Wolfgang Puck's Apex restaurant, an entertainment stage and the Impulse retail store. Throughout the year, the speedway's two-mile, D-shaped oval track also plays host to a variety of other special events, including the AMA Superbike series, a grassroots racing program at the track's Auto Club Dragway and the Southern California Historic Sports Car Festival.

Gladowski came to California Speedway from The Walt Disney Company. Over the past two years, she led external and internal communications for Disney Worldwide Outreach, the company's philanthropic arm, working on projects and special events in support of Disney's key charitable partnerships. Prior to that, Gladowski spent four years at Disney Consumer Products handling corporate communications for key licensing partnerships, new product launches, the world's most beloved character franchises and the Disney Store chain.

Before Disney, Gladowski spent six years in Las Vegas where she handled media relations for sporting events, concerts, gaming facilities, top name entertainers, production shows, restaurants and attractions.

A native of Grosse Ile, Mich., and a resident of Los Angeles, Gladowski is a 1993 graduate of Eastern Michigan University. She is also a member of the Public Relations Society of America.