Learning and family key components of off week

This week is all about racing, reading and relaxing with my friends and family.

I went to Richmond to watch the Evernham Busch Series and Cup Series cars. I learned how hard that track is to drive when I ran the Busch race there last year, so the opportunity to watch my teammates out there and pick up some pointers is key.

	Credit: Autostock
	Erin Crocker Year-to-date statistics Race Start Finish Daytona 24 27 California 33 27 Atlanta 30 26 Martinsville 34 25 Gateway 30 22 Average 30.2 25.4 SUPERSTORE •   Get Erin's gear! •   Driver Page

I also did some racing last week -- the go-kart kind. We had our team outing at Victory Lane Karting Center last week. We had a lot of fun and it was a good bonding experience, but everyone's competitive spirit was definitely on display. My publicist Toni McCray was surprisingly impressive.

I had a chance to use some of the sprint car tricks that I can't use in a Truck Series race. There was an occasion or two where I used less-than-desirable passing techniques and a little bit of unsportsmanlike conduct. We were trying to turn each other around for fun. I think everyone did a few spins.

Speaking of turning around, it's really neat to see how the team is finally coming together. Our communication is getting better and we're working together to make the improvements we need to run up front. We're not there yet, but we've got a good game plan and we know where we're going.

On Tuesday, I went to R. Brown McAlister Elementary School in Concord, N.C. to talk to about 300 students about how important school is and how very important reading is. I also talked about the General Mills Box Tops for Education Program. The students participated in the program this year, but we wanted to encourage them to continue collecting the box tops over their summer vacation.

I also gave an award to the class that collected the most Box Tops throughout the 2006 school year. They got bracelets and then we had story time together. While I was in Richmond, I had some spare time to spend with my best friend Beth. It was great seeing her and her boyfriend Chris. It isn't often that you get to see friends and family in this sport. It was really good to be around them and yet still be in my environment at the racetrack watching and supporting my teammates. It was just unfortunate that it wasn't a good weekend for any of our teams.

On Mother's Day I will be flying home to Massachusetts to spend a day or two with my mom. I'm staying at my mom's house so we'll be able to spend some quality time together.

My brother will also be having a huge barbecue for the whole family on Sunday. It is very rare that our entire family can get together at the same place at once. We all live different lives, in different states, and they have careers and families. I am so excited to go home to see the family and be there for my mom on Mother's Day. She's always there for me, so it's the least I can do.