[bears9]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

and we've seen how p.o.'d she gets when someone intrudes into her "space". imagine what'll happen when they take her fender off!!!

If whent up to Stewart like she did Wheldon i bet Stewartwould fight back

[lilsexy08]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

Do you think Erin's driving abilities have gotten any better since she has been with Ray Evernham's team ??? Will she find a new team ?? Will she make it into the cup series ???


Don't be shy .. speak right up.

She has some ability but since she has been with him I think her driving ability is not as good. Her mind is elsewhere but I think she isn't taken seriously anymore due to the relationship.

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

Do you think Erin's driving abilities have gotten any better since she has been with Ray Evernham's team ???

Are you tryin to say she really knows how to handle a stick now?

[BringBackWilkesboro]

Originally Posted by Quality88

Are you tryin to say she really knows how to handle a stick now?

BAZING!

[tkj24]

The Cool Down Lap: Best wishes on the job search, Erin Crocker

Reid Spencer /Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service



I wish all the best to Erin Crocker as she tries to find a new job as a racecar driver.

But I fear for her future in the sport.

In a variety of published reports last weekend, team owner Ray Evernham, 49, admitted that his relationship with Crocker, 26, had a negative effect on her career.

"I don't think it's any secret that because of the personal relationship between Erin and I, it hurt her career," Evernham told The Associated Press on Friday. "The proper thing to do, and something her and I would like to do, is move her to another race team.

"I think the girl has a lot of talent. But if I sit here and say to somebody, 'Look, she's got a lot of talent, you should sponsor her,' my credibility is not good because of the personal relationship."

Crocker drove for Evernham in NASCAR's Craftsman Truck Series last year, but lack of sponsorship brought her participation in that series to a halt. This year, Crocker has been competing in the ARCA Series for Evernham Motorsports.

Talking about the relationship is an about-face for Evernham, who consistently refused to discuss his personal life when stories linking him with Crocker romantically began to surface last year.

It's safe to say Evernham's recent disclosures aren't mere happenstance. For months now, Evernham has been negotiating a partnership with Montreal Canadiens owner George N. Gillett, who told Dominic Fugere of Le Journal de Montreal on Sunday that he expects the deal to close within two weeks.

Gillett is wise to the ways of the corporate world and doubtless recognizes the distraction factor -- not to mention the potential legal liability -- inherent in Evernham's retaining Crocker as an employee while the two maintain a personal relationship.

Just last August; Jeremy Mayfield sued Evernham after being relieved of his driving duties, citing Evernham's "close personal relationship" with Crocker as a key element in Evernham's alleged inability to perform his day-to-day responsibilities, as the contract between driver and owner required.

In his response to the lawsuit, Evernham denied that his job performance was materially affected. The case was settled out of court.

There has been speculation that Crocker's status as an employee has been an impediment to the Gillett deal, and that it also may have been a stumbling block in Evernham's search for sponsorship dollars in the face of reports that Dodge may reduce its presence on the hoods of the Evernham cars next year.

Whether to facilitate Evernham's business plans or to relaunch an unambiguous career, Crocker must find a ride elsewhere -- but who will hire her?

An informal poll of a handful of Nextel Cup owners and managers failed to elicit a serious answer to the question, "Would you consider putting Erin Crocker in one of your cars?"

Instead, there were snickers, or responses such as, "I don't think my wife would approve."

Crocker's job search in a series in which Evernham Motorsports also competes understandably will be difficult and complicated. A potential employer might fear pillow talk about springs, shocks and horsepower, whether or not justified.

ESPN.com's story Friday on Evernham-Crocker cites Evernham as admitting he might have "moved Crocker along too fast."

That, of course, raises the issue of preferential treatment and undermines Crocker's credibility as a driver.

I'm not here to judge the wisdom or propriety or substance of the relationship between Evernham and Crocker. In the business world, it's generally a bad idea for a boss to date an employee, no matter how smitten he or she might be. But people fall in love. It happens.

That doesn't, however, mitigate the consequences. It will be extremely difficult for Crocker to receive a fair and impartial evaluation of her talent by a potential new owner. No matter how fast she drives, it will take her years to outrun the perception that she competed in two of NASCAR's top three series at least in part because she is Ray Evernham's girlfriend.

So I hope there's an owner out there who can dismiss the baggage and give Crocker a chance to prove herself.

I wish her all the luck in the world in her job search.

But I fear for her future in the sport.

This story was produced by the Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service

[oncea3fan]

I figure there'd be a long line of 50 something year old owners lining up for thier shot.

what about BAM racing, a woman owns that, beth somebody. would definitly draw attention to the team for a sponsor, and they run dodges to so maybe a little side support from big daddy. something to think about.

[tkj24]

Originally Posted by oncea3fan

I figure there'd be a long line of 50 something year old owners lining up for thier shot.

what about BAM racing, a woman owns that, beth somebody. would definitly draw attention to the team for a sponsor, and they run dodges to so maybe a little side support from big daddy. something to think about.

I don't think she is anywhere near ready for Cup.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by oncea3fan

I figure there'd be a long line of 50 something year old owners lining up for thier shot.

what about BAM racing, a woman owns that, beth somebody. would definitly draw attention to the team for a sponsor, and they run dodges to so maybe a little side support from big daddy. something to think about.

I doubt any of those guys look on large divorce settlements and huge alimony checks going out each month as much incentive to "tackle" her.

BAM is trying hard to make races .. they don't need a crash and burn expert, although I have to say Erin's improved that record in ARCA. Before she gets another NASCAR ride, she needs to produce a solid record in ARCA .. till then she won't be able to get past the "sleeping her way to the top" tag. there's probably a few owners out there who don't care about what she does off the track, but there's plenty of sponsors who do .. remember, Betty Crocker dumped Erin Crocker.

[lilsexy08]

Originally Posted by tkj24

I don't think she is anywhere near ready for Cup.

I agree 100%.