GASTONIA, N.C. – WIX Filters, a member of the Affinia Group family of brands, will sponsor Erin Crocker, the first woman to win a World of Outlaw feature event in 2004, in seven POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series races in 2013, as well as the 2014 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals.
WIX will serve as the primary sponsor for Crocker’s No. 98 WIX Filters midget at POWRi races in Bloomington, Ind. (June 28), Haubstadt, Ind. (June 30), Belleville, Ill. (July 5 and July 6), Lincoln, Ill. (Aug. 16 and Aug. 17) and Du Quoin, Ill. (Dec. 7). WIX also will serve as Crocker’s primary sponsor in the 2014 Chili Bowl Nationals in Tulsa, Okla. (Jan. 14-18, 2014).
“I am thrilled to get back in the driver’s seat with the Team WIX program that embraces the American tradition of grassroots racing,” said Crocker, who started racing midgets at the age of seven. “I grew up at local, small town dirt tracks where my love for racing began. Racing is part of my DNA and when I spend time at the racetrack my passion for racing is renewed. Partnering with Team WIX allows me to focus on my racing roots and get back to what I love.”
Crocker, who is married to Ray Evernham, the former car owner and Hendrick crew chief who won three championships with Jeff Gordon, has remained ingrained in motorsports. Crocker started a sprint car operation with her husband in 2010 in Mooresville, N.C., and serves as a driving instructor, radio co-host, contributor for AskPatty.com and a member of the production team for the television series, AmeriCARna, which will air in 2014.
“WIX has a deep heritage with hometown racers, teams and local tracks as part of Team WIX program,” said Mike Harvey, brand manager for WIX Filters. “Erin embodies what a true, grassroots racer is through her childhood, passion and love for racing. We are proud to partner with her as she makes her comeback behind the wheel and fuels her passion as part of Team WIX.”
Crocker’s quarter midget racing tenure earned her the Female Driver of the Year awards in 1993, 1994 and 1995, as well as the Northeast Regional Champion award from 1993-1996 by the Quarter Midgets of America. During Crocker’s career, she earned the 360 “Wild Card” awards in 2002 and 2003; the 410 “Wild Card” award in 2003; and 410 Rookie of the Year in 2003, all from the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame.
Crocker was also the first woman to qualify for the Knoxville Nationals in 2003 earning her the title of 2003 Nationals Rookie of the Year in a sprint car and the first woman to win a World of Outlaw feature event in 2004. She also earned five ARCA Pole Awards through 2005 and 2007 and won the ARCA Remax Superspeedway Challenge Championship in 2007.
