crington, Beattie coached at Swansea under Garry Monk, but left after Monk was dismissed. He is now a director of a sports recruitment company. Francis Jeffers scored for England b

DARLINGTON, S.C. -- Kerry Tharp was little more than a NASCAR fan when he joined the series 11 years ago as a media spokesman. Now, he is leading one of its most iconic tracks.Tharp has been the familiar public relations voice of NASCAR and chief liaison for media for more than a decade. That changed when he received a call from new NASCAR chief operating officer Joie Chitwood III to fill the open role of Darlington Raceway president.The more I thought about it and talked to people I respect, the more it made sense, Tharp said.Tharp takes over for Chip Wile, who in April became president at Daytona International Speedway after Chitwood was promoted. Tharp also comes in with the track Too Tough To Tame on an upswing.The track hosts the Southern 500 on Sept. 4. The egg-shaped raceway returned to its long-held, Labor Day weekend spot on the NASCAR calendar last year after more than a decade trying to stay ahead of the padlocks.The tracks throwback weekend -- NASCAR drivers drove cars painted like those in the early 1970s -- was popular with competitors and fans, and Wiles group was well on the way toward finishing plans on this years nostalgic-theme race (1975-84).Im going to do a lot of listening and observing, Tharp said of the final six weeks before race day. Theyve been through it before and I havent.Tharps done his share of studying, though. He has attended races at most every venue on the NASCAR circuit, seeing things he likes and a few he doesnt.Thats been a great learning tool for me, he said.Some of what Tharp will draw on is remembering the path set by his late mentor, Jim Hunter, Darlingtons one-time president who became its chief spokesman in the late 1990s. Hunter groomed Tharp on blending the demands of the media with those of NASCAR, competitors and race teams.Tharp hopes he can lead Darlington as effectively as Hunter, who added grandstands and began modernizing a crumbling facility in the 1990s. Until then, the speedway barely had more than a few coats of paint slapped on it after it was carved out of the farmland by Harold Brasington in 1949.Continuing that rebirth is one of Tharps main goals.Building a following among younger fans is something all NASCAR leaders are focused on. Tharp is no different. That means, he says, tapping into what the next generation of fans like to do -- ensuring they have Internet access at their seats for texting or next-level websites for race information.Its essential we pay attention to what fans want, he said.Maybe thats why Darlington opened its infield this week for Pokemon Go players to search for and train virtual creatures inside the track.Tharps easygoing style made him a popular personality among NASCAR insiders. He drew chuckles from media members when hed roll into interviews with driver interviews and often banter with race winners who liked ribbing Tharp. Many hardcore NASCAR fans have seen Tharp on screen, an authoritative face in the background of Will Ferrells racing spoof, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.Tharp was assured the footage wouldnt make the movie, but Ferrell saw him at a screening and said, Youre in the movie!Hunter, rarely one to let a gag opportunity pass by, chewed Tharp out on the phone for the scene, leaving the newbie employee worried his career in NASCAR might be over. Hunter let Tharp squirm a bit before revealing the joke. Tharp was grateful for Hunters friendship and leadership, both of which the new Darlington president knows helped him achieve this latest goal.Tharp hopes to follow Hunters path in keeping Darlington vital to NASCAR for generations to come.I consider it a privilege to be here, Tharp said.---RCR CHANGESRichard Childress Racing is making a crew chief change for Paul Menards stretch run, with Danny Stockman taking over for Justin Alexander. Stockmans first race will be Sunday at Pocono Raceway.Stockman has won two Xfinity championships during his seven years at RCR and he and Menard worked together in that series, including a win last year at Road America.Menard made Sprint Cups championship chase last year, but stands 23rd -- and out of the playoffs -- with just six races left in the regular season. RCR also made a change in its Xfinity team, with series director Gil Martin serving as interim crew chief for the No. 2 Rheem/Menards program.---WELL WATCHEDNBCSN said Sundays Sprint Cup race from Indianapolis Motor Speedway was the networks most watched and highest-rated telecast ever.NBCSN said the broadcast averaged 5.2 million viewers, up more than 11 percent from a year ago (4.7 million).Kyle Busch took the checkered flag in the Brickyard 400 to become the first driver ever to sweep both Sprint Cup and Xfinity poles and races in the same weekend. The network said the race was the most watched Sprint Cup event on cable since the Nov. 2014 championship on ESPN, a span of 36 events.---SPICING UP POCONOFood Network host/chef Guy Fieri will serve as grand marshal for the Pennsylvania 400 at Pocono Raceway on Sunday.Fieri owns Guy Fieris Mount Pocono Kitchen in the Mount Airy Casino Resort near the race track. Hes better known as the energetic star of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, and Guys Grocery Games on Food Network.Count on Fieri to add his own spice to the traditional Start your engines command before the race.Custom Arizona Cardinals Jerseys . There was no hesitation from the 40th-ranked Pospisil, from Vernon, B.C., who admitted that he cut back on his training sessions over the last few days to conserve energy as the long ATP season finishes next week at the Paris Masters. Cheap Custom Jerseys . The formidable trio of Canadian receivers -- individually known as Chris Getzlaf, Rob Bagg and Andy Fantuz -- will share the field at Mosaic Stadium one more time on Sunday. http://www.jerseyscustom.us/ . The move comes after the Canadiens were approached by the Buffalo Sabres for permission to speak to Dudley - a former Sabres player and head coach. "The Sabres called for permission and I appreciate that, Im flattered, Dudley told TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun of ESPN. Wholesale Custom Jerseys . -- The proud fathers huddled near the Dallas Stars dressing room, smiling, laughing and telling stories while wearing replica green sweaters of their sons team. Custom Dallas Cowboys Jerseys .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable.Roy Hodgsons England take on Australia on Friday night - 13 years after a shock defeat to the Socceroos at West Hams Boleyn Ground.Harry Kewell inspired the visitors to a 3-1 victory in February 2003, as England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson fielded a different side in each half.Current England captain Wayne Rooney made his debut in that friendly and will feature at the Stadium of Light this week when the sides meet again. But what happened next for the other 21 players who played for England that day? We take a look at the contrasting career paths of the England players who lost to Australia...David JamesStarted against Australia - his 11th England cap - before going on to amass 53 caps in total. Recently enjoyed a stint as player-manager of Indian Super League side Kerala Blasters, before returning to the UK to be a television pundit.Paul RobinsonOne of several debutants, Robinson came off the bench to complete 45 minutes in an England shirt for the first time. He is probably best known for a high-profile error in a damaging 2-0 defeat to Croatia in a Euro 2008 qualifier. The 36-year-old was part of Burnleys squad during the second half of their 2015-16 Championship-winning season, although he did not play.Danny MillsBest known for his time in a talented Leeds side, Mills surprisingly never represented his country at Wembley despite winning 19 caps - a record for an England player in the modern era. Now works as a pundit and co-commentator on radio and TV. Harry Kewell of Australia battles with Rio Ferdinand and Paul Scholes Rio FerdinandOne of the most decorated defenders in living memory, Ferdinand was powerless to stop Australia springing a surprise. The 37-year-old retired from playing last year and now works as a TV pundit.Wes BrownReplacing United team-mate Ferdinand, Brown came on for one of 23 caps. A bit-part player for England, his appearances are spread over an 11-year period. Brown is still playing for Sunderland.Sol CampbellHaving formed a formidable partnership with Ferdinand, Campbell played an integral part in creating a solid-looking England. After retirement in 2012, Campbell turned his attention to politics, unsuccessfully campaigning to be the Conservative candidate to become Mayor of London. Sol Campbell , Frank Lampard and Michael Owen dejected after an Australia goal Ledley KingA one-club man with Tottenham, King suffered an injury-plagued career, meaning he can only lay claim to 23 England caps, despite possessing a wealth of ability. The Australia defeat was Kings second cap for England. After retiring in 2012, King continues to represent Spurs at ambassadorial level.Ashley ColeThe most-capped full-back in England history with 107 appearances, Coles international career was very much in its infancy when the men from Down Under were in town. Cole now plays alongside Steven Gerrard at LA Galaxy.Paul KoncheskyA surprise debutant, Konchesky replaced Cole at left-back to earn one of two England caps. The 36-year-old is still playing, having completed the 2015/16 campaign with QPR.David BeckhamEngland captain Beckham completed 45 minutes on his 57th international appearance. Hed go on to win a total of 115 caps for his country and after retiring in 2013 at PSG, the former Manchester United, Real Madrid, AC Milan and LA Galaxy midfielder remains one of the most marketable figures in the world. David Beckham is floored during Englands friendly defeat to Australia Owen HargreavesDespite numerous injuries hampering his chances of success, Hargreaves went on to win 42 England caps, impressing most at the 2006 World Cup.dddddddddddd He now works as a television pundit and co-commentator.Frank LampardAnother England centurion to start in Upton Park, Lampard offered very little attacking threat in his 45-minute cameo. The former Chelsea star is still playing in the MLS with New York City.Danny MurphyCompeting with the likes of Paul Scholes, Lampard and Gerrard, Murphy could only muster nine caps in his career, making only two more after his appearance against Australia. He now works as a pundit and co-commentator for TV and radio.Paul ScholesNot one of the highlights of an otherwise impressive international career, Scholes did have a goal ruled out in a disappointing first half. He is another who works as a TV pundit. Jermaine Jenas made his England debut and marked it with an assist Jermaine JenasAnother debutant, Jenas was a rare bright spark at the Boleyn Ground, earning an assist for Englands goal. The 33-year-old went on to make 20 more appearances on the international stage. Jenas is also a television and radio pundit.Kieron DyerA player dogged by injuries, Dyer enjoyed a 45-minute run out here. Dyer is not active in the footballing world, but made a recent appearance on a popular reality TV show.Darius VassellOften forgotten by football fans of this generation, Vassell actually scored six times in an England shirt, but couldnt muster a goal on a forgettable night. He retired in January, having been without a club since 2012.James BeattieIn one of only two starts on the international stage, Beattie failed to impress and was another who was subbed at half-time. After a unsuccessful spell as manager of Accrington, Beattie coached at Swansea under Garry Monk, but left after Monk was dismissed. He is now a director of a sports recruitment company. Francis Jeffers scored for England but never earned a second international cap Francis JeffersEnglands goalscorer on a frustrating night, Jeffers appearance at West Ham proved his first and last, therefore finishing with an impressive international goals-per-game ratio! His career petered out after such promising beginnings, and he is now coaching at Everton where his career began.Michael OwenLiverpool were in the middle of falling out of contention in the 2002-03 Premier League title race, and such a dip in form was affecting star striker Owen, who looked shorn of confidence when missing two chances against the Aussies. Now a successful owner and breeder of racehorses, Owen also works as a TV pundit and co-commentator.Wayne RooneyA momentous day for the then-rookie Rooney, as the Everton starlet become the youngest player to pull on the England jersey since James Prinsep in 1879 when taking the field. Recently overtook Sir Bobby Charlton to become all-time England top goalscorer, and will lead England as skipper at Euro 2016.Also See:England v Australia previewHenderson out to prove worth ' ' '