A Track Legends Protege Takes the Reins of Darlington Raceway

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While Kerry Tharp was born and raised a native Kentuckian, Darlington Raceway’s new President will consider himself a South Carolinian at heart after having spent 31 years of his media career working within the state.

Tharp began his career out of the University of South Carolina working within their media relations department for nearly 20 years prior to joining NASCAR’s Integrated Marketing Communication’s ranks in 2005 under the direction of former Darlington president Jim Hunter.

Hunter as most will remember not only was the former President of Darlington Raceway from 1993 to 2001 but was also considered critical in the expansion of NASCAR’s media outreach efforts. But also a mentor to Tharp and taking on the role of as Sr. Director of Communication later in his career at NASCAR in the media centers on race weekends the position Hunter himself once held.

“Jim was really my mentor when I came into NASCAR from the University of South Carolina and we established a quick relationship being a former Gamecock. Being able to work under him for so many years, he was and continues to be my mentor as I have the opportunity to walk in some of the same areas that he walked for so many years at Darlington means the world to me.” Said Tharp.

Over his 11 year career crisscrossing the NASCAR circuit drivers, media corps, and even the fans at the track have come to known Tharp affectionately as “Commander” for his work within the media centers.

Earlier in the 2016 season when it was announced that former track President Chip Wile would be moving over to ISC sister track in Daytona, Darlington the NASCAR world awaited an announcement on who would take over NASCAR’s first superspeedway.

When word came down it was met with elation from all those within the sport who Tharp has worked with over the years to expand the reach of the sport and those within South Carolina most fittingly where he worked and lived out of for many years.

“I love the state and its people, its resiliency, its determination. I know how special Darlington is to the people in this state and having worked at NASCAR over the past 11 years I know how special Darlington is to NASCAR the sport, drivers, teams and media.”

“When you see Darlington Raceway people listen and that grabs people’s attention in our sport as an iconic track with a proud history.”

Darlington Raceway which is in the mist of their second year as a return to the traditional Labor Day weekend event in 2016 to the throwback era of 1975 – 1984. In 2015 the track upon its return to the traditional weekend in September was awarded numerous times for their efforts involving the teams, sponsors, broadcast partners, and fans.

Tharp who began work following his final race event in the media center at Kentucky Speedway is on the ground and working with track staff to ensure the 2016 Southern 500 weekend is once again a success for fans that will descend upon Darlington County.

“I know that I have a lot to learn. In my pervious role I was focused on communications and that was one component of the whole picture. Now I need to know as much about everything making sure we have the right amount of people in place to put on the best possible event for our fans. We have a great staff in place here at Darlington.” Continues Tharp

“We are 39 days and counting before that race weekend and time is of the essence each day and moment counts that we take full advantage of.“

Darlington Raceway Labor Day weekend events kicks off with the VFW Sports Clips Help a Hero 200 on September 3rd at 3:30PM and rounding out the weekend with the Bojangles Southern 500 on Sunday September 4th at 6:00PM on NBC.

Speedway Digest Staff
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