NASCAR - Evernham Risking All with Crocker
I'm going to state up front I don't know anyone involved with the whole Evernham/Mayfield/Crocker situation. In fact, I might be talking out of my ass since I'm not in the garage every week. However, what I do know is that Ray Evernham is treading some very dangerous waters as a result of his "personal relationship" with his development driver Erin Crocker and is risking not only his reputation, but Croker's career and reputation as well.
I'm sure "personal relationships" in NASCAR are just as nutty as they are in the rest of the world. And, Frankly, I don't care (nor should anyone) who's dating who or whatever. I couldn't care less if Kasey Khane had a harem. I couldn't care less if Jack Rousch was a womanizer and liked to play dress-up. A person's personal life is their own business. However, when it comes to a relationship between car owner and driver, we're talking a whole new ballgame.
Let's forget for now the allegations made by Jeremy Mayfield that Evernham spends too much time with Crocker and not enough time with the rest of his teams/drivers. That could be bitter apples or it could be 110% true. The issue here is perception: perception on Ray's judgement when it comes to how he treats his drivers. Crocker has been back and forth between the Busch and Craftsman truck series. She hasn't had all that much luck. She's haad quite a few wrecks and there's definitely been some resentment about her being at the track in the first place. To date, women have had a VERY hard time finding success in the NASCAR ranks for a number of reasons. A lot of it is due to petty drivers who simply have an issue racing against women.
Now, however, add in the fact that this female driver is romantically involved with her car owner. How do you think the other drivers in the field feel about that? You and I know they are wondering if she's in that car or truck because she's a talented enough driver - more than any up-and-comer out there - or because she's Ray's honey. That perception is going to follow her everywhere she goes. Since she's seen limited success, we know that answer. From here on out, as long as she's involved with Evernham Motorsports, any chance she gets as a driver will be suspect to speculation that she doesn't really deserve it. I'm not saying Ray can't separate business and pleasure, but he's a human being and that IS going to affect his decision-making at one time or another as long as he's involved with Crocker off the track. It would be the same regardless of the business - yours, mine or at AT&T. Boss/employee relationships are bad news.
The fans, the drivers, the teams and Dodge are from now on going to second guess Ray Evernham's decisions when it comes to Erin Crocker and commitment to his other drivers. Hell, I hope she is the real deal and makes it as high as Kasey Khane. I really do. It would be great to see some of these guys whine and complain about women not belonging on the track when they're getting their butts kicked by a woman driver. But until then, the perception is going to be that Erin Crocker is getting what amounts to a free ride in NASCAR and that Ray Evernham's judgement and commitment to his teams are being clouded by romance. Down the road, this could be very damaging to the entire organizzation - and Ray should know better than to risk everything he's built by being "involved" with a driver; and he should know better because he's a lot more mature than his new girlfriend.
I'm sure "personal relationships" in NASCAR are just as nutty as they are in the rest of the world. And, Frankly, I don't care (nor should anyone) who's dating who or whatever. I couldn't care less if Kasey Khane had a harem. I couldn't care less if Jack Rousch was a womanizer and liked to play dress-up. A person's personal life is their own business. However, when it comes to a relationship between car owner and driver, we're talking a whole new ballgame.
Let's forget for now the allegations made by Jeremy Mayfield that Evernham spends too much time with Crocker and not enough time with the rest of his teams/drivers. That could be bitter apples or it could be 110% true. The issue here is perception: perception on Ray's judgement when it comes to how he treats his drivers. Crocker has been back and forth between the Busch and Craftsman truck series. She hasn't had all that much luck. She's haad quite a few wrecks and there's definitely been some resentment about her being at the track in the first place. To date, women have had a VERY hard time finding success in the NASCAR ranks for a number of reasons. A lot of it is due to petty drivers who simply have an issue racing against women.
Now, however, add in the fact that this female driver is romantically involved with her car owner. How do you think the other drivers in the field feel about that? You and I know they are wondering if she's in that car or truck because she's a talented enough driver - more than any up-and-comer out there - or because she's Ray's honey. That perception is going to follow her everywhere she goes. Since she's seen limited success, we know that answer. From here on out, as long as she's involved with Evernham Motorsports, any chance she gets as a driver will be suspect to speculation that she doesn't really deserve it. I'm not saying Ray can't separate business and pleasure, but he's a human being and that IS going to affect his decision-making at one time or another as long as he's involved with Crocker off the track. It would be the same regardless of the business - yours, mine or at AT&T. Boss/employee relationships are bad news.
The fans, the drivers, the teams and Dodge are from now on going to second guess Ray Evernham's decisions when it comes to Erin Crocker and commitment to his other drivers. Hell, I hope she is the real deal and makes it as high as Kasey Khane. I really do. It would be great to see some of these guys whine and complain about women not belonging on the track when they're getting their butts kicked by a woman driver. But until then, the perception is going to be that Erin Crocker is getting what amounts to a free ride in NASCAR and that Ray Evernham's judgement and commitment to his teams are being clouded by romance. Down the road, this could be very damaging to the entire organizzation - and Ray should know better than to risk everything he's built by being "involved" with a driver; and he should know better because he's a lot more mature than his new girlfriend.
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