Emily Maynard Moves from NASCAR Tragedy to Being the 'Bachelorette'

Emily Maynard, 26, becomes the first single mom to be on the ABC television show Bachelorette.

She is the mother of a six-year-old daughter born of her relationship with Rick Hendrick's son, who was killed in a plane crash.

NASCAR driver Ricky Hendrick was killed in 2004 when a Hendrick Motorsports plane was making an approach to the Martinsville area in poor weather conditions, and crashed into a mountain.

Tragically, 10 people lost their lives, including family members and employees of Hendrick Motorsports. Several days after the accident, Maynard announced she was pregnant by her fiance Hendrick.

Maynard's daughter, Josephine Riddick "Ricki" Hendrick, was born and named after her father, Joseph Riddick "Ricky" Hendrick.

Maynard was on ABC's The Bachelor, where she claimed to have found love with Brad Womack who lived in Texas. The relationship floundered and ended.

Maynard appears to live the good life with a lovely home in Charlotte where she and her daughter no doubt lack for nothing with the Hendrick connection.

The soft-spoken, West Virginia native won the hearts of viewers with her beauty and southern charm. She has close ties to Charlotte and wants to remain near her daughter during the show's taping.

One has to wonder why Maynard is seeking this attention. Is it really an attempt to find true love? Or is it just another ratings ploy with one of the most popular women to appear on this television show?

The pretty blond likely rolls in some pretty high circles within the Charlotte community. She has access to some high-profile males in the area that would probably outshine any on the show.

It is hard to believe Maynard seriously thinks her future happiness will be dependent upon this show and that she will find the man who not only completes her, but will make a great father.

You also have to wonder how young Ricki's paternal grandparents, Rick and Linda Hendrick, feel about Maynard with this latest attention-grabbing endeavor.

The first show will air May 14 and we shall see Maynard once again play the love game before our eyes, while wondering why she is doing it.

If it is anything like the last go-around, it shouldn't be too intense.

Opinions expressed in this article are strictly those of the writer.