FanHouse ErinCrocker

Last night, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver found himself in Scottsdale, Arizona auctioning off one his No. 20 Home Depot Chevrolets from the 2007 season.

Sold at the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company with plenty high-rollers and celebrity figures alike in attendance, the Monte Carlo racer was auctioned in the name of the Darrell Gwynn Foundation in addition to a few other items as you'll see in the clip.



Yep, that's right, well over $300,000 for a race car, a ring from Stewart's 2007 season, a helmet, and driving suit worn by Stewart himself. All in the name of a charity that supports spinal cord research.

Incredible.

Since sleeping it away with owner Ray Evernham, Erin Crocker now wants to restore her credibility as a driver:

"I think at this point, I want to earn that credibility back. I want to earn some more respect and go off on my own and do what I came here to do."

"I feel good about my driving. I just want things to be positive again ... I still feel like I can make a difference and make my name in this sport.

Yeah ... good luck with that, honey. You've already made your bed, now you have to lie in it a name for yourself.

Women in motorsports face enough challenges. They don't need one of their own developing a bad reputation for moving up the career ladder swiftly when she starts sleeping with the boss.

Changing Perception Won't Be Easy

For a little longer than a year now I've been reading comments and receiving emails about Crocker and how she has set the advancements for women in racing back decades by getting romantically involved with her owner. Those sentiments haven't changed much now that she and Evernham had a public "coming out" party.

Driven By Estrogen

At Kansas Speedway this weekend, female race car drivers will make history with seven of them competing on the same track.

IRL's Got Milka

Behind the open wheel of an Indy car for only the second time, Venezuelan Milka Duno passed the IRL rookie test on Thursday to receive her series license.

The former sports car racer's start in Sunday's Kansas Lottery Indy 300 makes her the first Latina to compete in the series and part of the first three-female IRL event in history along with Sarah Fisher and Danica Patrick.

Pretty sure Duno's still the only Naval Engineer with four Master's Degrees from any country--male or female--driving in any racing league.

Impressive resume. Easy on the eyes, too, huh guys?

After discovering that sleeping with the boss didn't make her a better driver, Erin Crocker recently closed the book on her year-or-so long personal relationship with NASCAR owner Ray Evernham.

The two remain committed to each other, however, in the development of her racing career.

After a lackluster stint in the Craftsman Truck Series last season, Crocker, 26, returns to ARCA this weekend in Nashville in the #98 EMS Dodge Charger with a renewed determination:

"Part of me is upset because I don't have a big schedule, but at least I'm getting to race. I've had the big hype. What I need now are positive results .... Maybe I was pushed too fast. [Ray's] understanding and he believes I can do it. It's been more difficult than I thought it would be, but I'm determined to succeed in this sport."

Evernham, who closed the #98 Truck team after failing to secure sponsorship for the faltering female driver, has partnered with Mac Tools for their ARCA debut. The Mac Tools Mac Card Dream Garage Sweepstakes will be the main promotional marketing initiative supporting this sponsorship. The four race primary sponsorship will begin with the April 27th race at Kansas Speedway and continue at Kentucky Speedway on May 12th, Pocono Raceway on June 9th and Michigan International Speedway on June 15th.

Crocker has competed in 13 career ARCA events, logging four poles, six top-fives and eight top-10s. In her most recent start at Daytona, she took the pole, becoming only the second woman in ARCA history to lead the field to the green flag at the high banks of Daytona International Speedway.

And the quest for the next female NASCAR driver continues.

See also: Kelly Sutton

In development: Jessica Helberg