Evernham: Personal Relationship Hurt Crocker's Racing Career

NASCAR owner Ray Evernham finally speaks publicly about what many NASCAR insiders, readers of internet message boards and blogs, and by now most NASCAR fans have known for quite some time: He has a personal relationship with his driver Erin Crocker.

Oh, and it might have been detrimental to her career:

"I don't think it's any secret that because of the personal relationship between Erin and I it hurt her career. 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.''

Finally, some honesty. People have doubted the existence of this relationship and questioned my credibility since I first hinted at and then confirmed the relationship between the owner, who turns 50 years old next month, and his 26-year-old driver on Answer this... in April of 2006. The couple has had a personal relationship since the fall of 2005.

Is Gillett forcing Evernham to cut Crocker loose?
Of course, it's no coincidence that Evernham is close to finalizing his deal with Montreal Canadiens owner George Gillett. No doubt getting Crocker off the Evernham Motorsports driver roster was a stipulation of the deal. Gillett is to become majority owner and will look after the business side while Evernham oversees competition. Gillett probably recognizes that having employees around that sleep with the boss is usually not good for business.

Evernham feels they were very "professional" about everything they did and continue to be. Hmmm. Jeremy Mayfield didn't think so. And I wouldn't exactly call threatening the media with lawsuits if they write about the relationship "professional," but sometimes people define terms differently.

Terms like "role model." Evernham says Crocker is an "excellent role model for a female driver." I'm not so sure sleeping with the boss is something to aspire to. But again, people have different ideas about things.

Their relationship was a little strained earlier this year but the two remained committed to Crocker's racing career. Now it seems they're committed to their relationship and her racing. Bully for them. Multiple sources tell me this relationship is the "real deal" and that they are likely to walk down the aisle one day, should Evernham ever finalize his divorce.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

4-17-2008 @ 8:26AM

Chi Wong said...

Maybe sleeping with her boss is her career.
And anyway they have a 26 age gap.

8-08-2009 @ 12:59PM

toms river nj said...

well i have a good one for you all,i no marymargret,that would be his highschool sweetheart,that he eventually married,and had a son ray-ray,ray was a great chassey man,at wall \stadium,i feel bad for mary,mary,hope you read this,you have my prayers,as for ray,a great guy,sorry to see that relationship end,thanks fore the good times at the track,marymargret&ray.

gary

7-27-2007 @ 11:42PM

CJ said...

Not only has he hurt her career, he's hurt the Nascar diversity program altogether! He leaves the impression that a woman has to sleep with her boss to try and make it in the sport. In that picture she's a hottie, but everytime ive seen her on tv, she hasnt been very attractive. I cant tell though if they're still dating or not.

7-28-2007 @ 2:54AM

Carl said...

Woman sleeping with boss gets career hurt..right up there with stove is hot and sh*t stinks...Ray and Erin need to learn you don't sh*t where you eat..I have never heard of her and I doubt I ever will since her career is pretty well dead now..maybe doing him is her career

7-28-2007 @ 3:45AM

jerry said...

Never heard of her, huh? lol Thanks for playing Carl, you can crawl off and shut up now that you've displayed your NASCAR ignorance for all to see. Those comments by Evernham are way too little way too late as far as I'm concerned. Like many famous personages in all sports, Evernham is very talented within his profession but not a particularly good human being in general. Also, while some may have indeed expressed skepticism about the existence of their relationship, come on, that she's served as his personal sex toy was fairly common knowledge a long time ago, no need for anyone to be trying to make a big deal about him publicly commenting on it one way or the other at this point. As for your sources insisting they're the "real deal" as couples go, whatever, you can bet any walk down the aisle will eventually be followed by less enthusiastic entrances on their part into divorce court.

7-28-2007 @ 8:41AM

CCR said...

I've weighed in with my full take here:
http://ccrnascar.blogspot.com/2007/07/ray-evernham-unzipped-relationship.html

Evernham made multiple comments that are jaw dropping in their cluelessness.

The most laughable was him saying that losing Betty Crocker as a sponsor wasn't related to their "relationship". I'm certain the suits at Betty Crocker want people to see their logo on a truck and think "home wrecker".

The damage done to Crocker's career can never be offset. The damage done to other careers at Evernham MotorSports will take a while to undo.

7-28-2007 @ 11:30AM

Charles Massey said...

She seemed chummy with her Sprint car owner also. She made her bed now she has to sleep in it.

7-28-2007 @ 1:29PM

RustyShackleford said...

Let's do the math. Ray is 50. Erin is 26. That means he was 24 when she was a baby in a crib somewhere. Oh, well. She is kinda cute, though. Reminds me of the "girl next door" that I never got around to asking out (actually, she lived across the street.)