I have finally figured out a solution to my CTD problems.

Hypothetical cause-having 8 AI races at max CPU and brilliant intelligence.  At 50% no crashes but at 100% or max CPU, crashes/freezes.

Solution-forcing the game to use my very high GPU settings with an Nvidia 6800.

My hypothesis is that the entire graphics burden is shifted to the GPU fully freeing up the CPU to process AI instructions.  When I have low graphic settings the game actually becomes more unstable because some of the graphics is being done by the CPU.

I have read a similiar article that states that when under heavy graphics load, the CPU has instructions to divert  most/all graphics to the GPU.

In any case, jacking up the graphics settings actually fixed my CTD's!  How counter-intuitive is that?  lol