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August 2 , 2007

Leave the Poor Lady Alone
By Dennis Michelsen
People love to get holier than thou nowadays! If something is going wrong its not just an accident someone has to carry the blame. This year Evernham Motorsports is struggling through a horrible season. Last year Kasey Kahne won more races than anyone else and looked like a possible pick for the title in 2007. But all three Evernham Motorsports teams have struggled. Elliott Sadler has the best spot in the Championship points battle at 23rd. Kasey Kahne after winning six times in 2006 has two top tens all season in 2007. Scott Riggs has failed to qualify four times and is stuck in 37th place. Surely someone has to be to blame for this horrible performance.

The Affair Factor
Surely the reason that Evernham Motorsports has struggled is the alleged affair between the owner and one of the team's development drivers. What a bunch of "25-point deduction" that is! Other owners aren't at the track every week and whether their cars are struggling or doing great nothing is said about their situations! The rumor mill has Theresa Earnhardt dating the owner of one of her team's sponsors. So what? Who the hell cares? OK so Erin Crocker was dating Ray Evernham while he was separated from his wife and waiting for his divorce to be final. Is this the first time anyone has ever dated while separated from his or her spouse? But let the NASCAR press have this story and everyone has a theory on why Evernham's teams have stunk! How about this novel concept…their employees and drivers have not gotten the job done!

BTW…She Can Drive
Is Erin Crocker the female second coming of Richard Petty or Dale Earnhardt? The answer is quite simply a NO. But the same can be said of a number of other capable male and female drivers trying to work their way to NASCAR's Cup division. But the simple fact is that Erin Crocker won a race on the World of Outlaws Circuit. You don't accomplish that unless you have a ton of talent! Can that winged-sprint car talent translate to success in a full-bodied stockcar? Maybe yes or maybe no the jury is still out on that one. But it isn't as if Ray Evernham stuck young lady in the ride cause she looks cute in a bikini and has no driving resume. Have you paid any attention to the ARCA series? Erin Crocker has qualified on the pole and finished in second place. That takes talent no matter how great a car you have under you. This lady Erin Crocker has proven talent so leave her alone!

Age Doesn't Matter
In every story I have seen about the relationship between Ray and Erin the age difference between the two has been mentioned in a sinister way. Oh boy isn't this a juicy bit? Ray is old and Erin is young! Who the hell cares? Love comes in all shapes and sizes and ages. My Mom and Dad had eleven years separating them. Unless Erin was underage when the two secretly started their relationship who the hell cares what the age difference is between two people other than THOSE two people. But let the whispers and snickers continue folks.

Did the relationship with Ray hurt Erin Crocker's career? Who the hell knows and who cares? These are two consenting adults with the right to do whatever they want to do with their lives! Last year when Kasey Kahne was winning six races, the most in Nextel Cup, Ray and Erin were dating. So is that the reason Kasey was winning all those races…the great Karma because of the boss was in love? What a bunch of CROCK (ER) that is to even suggest that is the reason! Now if Ray had elevated Erin to a Cup ride after Jeremy's departure last season that would have shown nepotism in his hiring. Maybe like Steven Wallace keeping his Busch ride despite tearing up so much equipment? Funny how no one wants to make that leap in judgment! Leave the poor lady alone we can drive!