Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s season of unrelenting misery and inexplicable failure reached a new level of woe both on and off the track this week. On Sunday Earnhardt lost his 55th straight race and did so in what has now become his usual heartbreaking fashion. After running in the top 10 all day at Texas Motor Speedway, Earnhardt went to the pits for gas with five laps to go. After a quick splash, his engine refused to re-fire as he rolled down pit road. He sat motionless beyond his pit stall and lost track position for three laps before the engine finally started. He finished 25th.

But that might not be the worst thing to happen to him this week.

The National Enquirer, which we all know only prints the truth, "reported" via anonymous sources today that Earnhardt is locked in a "death spiral." None of the sources in the piece - sources who claim to care about Junior's well-being - care enough to give their names. Also, the article is filled with vague "mays" and "seems" and "almosts," which keep publications like the Enquirer from getting sued when it turns out they are wrong. In other words, it's all pretty flimsy. Still, the story is now out there.

Related links:
Earnhardt losing streak reaches 53
Alabama is Junior Nation
McGrew Earnhardt's crew chief in 2010
Dale Earnhardt Jr. petition
Earnhardt Jr. beyond frustration
Earnhardt Jr. 'New 88' music video