Post by dalejrfan on Jun 4, 2005 15:27:55 GMT -5
DOVER, Del. -- Ray Evernham said Saturday he has no plans to rush the development of driver Erin Crocker in order to capitalize on the hoopla surrounding female drivers after Danica Patrick's fourth-place run in last weekend's Indianapolis 500.
"If it were about business and it were about getting press and things like that it'd be tempting, but this is about helping somebody that I believe in," Evernham said.
Erin Crocker Credit: AP
"I've seen too many people get thrown into a high-pressure situation too soon and it ruins their career."
Crocker, the first female to win a World of Outlaws race, caught the attention of Evernham and Kasey Kahne for her performance in open wheel racing.
Evernham Motorsports partnered with Kasey Kahne Motorsports and signed Crocker to an agreement that involves her running the Silver Crown Series in a Kasey Kahne Motorsports car, along with five late-season Busch races and five ARCA races in an Evernham Dodge.
"I care about the people that work for me and the people that drive for me," he said. "I want to help her. I want her to succeed.
"This is a tough, tough business and it takes time to learn it and we want to make sure she gets a proper shot at doing that."
The early plan for 2006 is for Crocker to share a Busch Series ride with Kahne. Despite that, Evernham says Crocker is pushing to make the move sooner.
"She's a fiery redhead. She's not patient," Evernham said. "We always say she's the daughter I never had because she's a lot like me. She'll rip you in a heartbeat.
"The other day somebody asked her what it's like to drive for Ray Evernham," he said. "She turned around and put her finger in my chest and said, 'I don't know. I've only driven for him once!'"
Crocker took the pole for the ARCA event in Nashville in March in what was her Evernham Motorsports debut. Crocker led 29 laps and finished 12th. She was originally scheduled to run the ARCA race next week at Pocono, but instead she'll take the green flag at Michigan in two weeks.
"She knows and understands that if we're going to perform on the racetrack, she's got some more learning to do," Evernham said.
Once that learning is over, Evernham thinks the sky is the limit.
"I don't think any female drivers have ever been given a fair chance to be put in the right equipment," Evernham said. "What we hope to do with Erin is to put her in the right situation."
"Erin Crocker has the talent to be a superstar in NASCAR," Evernham said. "If we do the right things and can find the right sponsorship, you will see her make a big name for herself and a big impact on this sport."
"If it were about business and it were about getting press and things like that it'd be tempting, but this is about helping somebody that I believe in," Evernham said.
Erin Crocker Credit: AP
"I've seen too many people get thrown into a high-pressure situation too soon and it ruins their career."
Crocker, the first female to win a World of Outlaws race, caught the attention of Evernham and Kasey Kahne for her performance in open wheel racing.
Evernham Motorsports partnered with Kasey Kahne Motorsports and signed Crocker to an agreement that involves her running the Silver Crown Series in a Kasey Kahne Motorsports car, along with five late-season Busch races and five ARCA races in an Evernham Dodge.
"I care about the people that work for me and the people that drive for me," he said. "I want to help her. I want her to succeed.
"This is a tough, tough business and it takes time to learn it and we want to make sure she gets a proper shot at doing that."
The early plan for 2006 is for Crocker to share a Busch Series ride with Kahne. Despite that, Evernham says Crocker is pushing to make the move sooner.
"She's a fiery redhead. She's not patient," Evernham said. "We always say she's the daughter I never had because she's a lot like me. She'll rip you in a heartbeat.
"The other day somebody asked her what it's like to drive for Ray Evernham," he said. "She turned around and put her finger in my chest and said, 'I don't know. I've only driven for him once!'"
Crocker took the pole for the ARCA event in Nashville in March in what was her Evernham Motorsports debut. Crocker led 29 laps and finished 12th. She was originally scheduled to run the ARCA race next week at Pocono, but instead she'll take the green flag at Michigan in two weeks.
"She knows and understands that if we're going to perform on the racetrack, she's got some more learning to do," Evernham said.
Once that learning is over, Evernham thinks the sky is the limit.
"I don't think any female drivers have ever been given a fair chance to be put in the right equipment," Evernham said. "What we hope to do with Erin is to put her in the right situation."
"Erin Crocker has the talent to be a superstar in NASCAR," Evernham said. "If we do the right things and can find the right sponsorship, you will see her make a big name for herself and a big impact on this sport."