According to Nielsen, ratings for NASCAR on Fox are down by an alarming 11.5% so far this year, and while we're sure that many NASCAR haters will suggest that it's just not that interesting watching non-stock "stock cars" turning left over and over again as they circle oval tracks, race organizers and TV ratings researchers believe there's much more to the decline in viewership than that.

Certainly, the sorry state of affairs surrounding the world's sagging economy doesn't help matters any, and neither did the rain that forced an early end to the Daytona 500, the sport's pivotal first race of the season. Paul Brooks, president of NASCAR Media Group, also points a finger in the direction of Dale Earnhardt Jr, who's second season as part of Hendrick Motorsports isn't exactly going as hoped.

Regardless of its downward ratings trend in '09, it seems most experts on the subject predict the NASCAR brand will pull through over the long haul, although it will be interesting to see if/how the auto industry crisis affects the cash-intensive motorsports series. In the meantime, NASCAR and Fox are reportedly "looking at every angle" to boost viewership in the short term.

[Source: Sports Business Journal | Image: Roger Smith]

The Dale, Jr.-edition Spotter GPS has Junior gearing you up for the ride with "You drive, I'll ride shotgun." The portable device offers turn-by-turn directions and features Junior-isms like "Hang a right" and "Park it, we're here." The RightWay Spotter comes installed with 1.7 million points of interest, which includes a point-of-interest tour of Charlotte, North Carolina that can also lead you to some of Dale's favorite places. If that weren't enough, the GPS plays MP3s and videos, displays photos, and has an e-book reader, all for $299.

Admittedly, we were kinda hoping it would only instruct left turns, which, in the words of our tipster, might go something like this:

"Alright y'all are gonna go down here a ways, then turn left. Keep going then turn left. Merge over to the high side and and at the next corner turn left. Then make an immediate left. Continue down this stretch of road then y'all need to turn left...

Follow the jump to watch a video of the real Dale, Jr. telling you how it's done. Thanks for the tip, Derek!

[Source: Twice]

Click the image above for more "Big Red"

Even though Chevy denies buyers a Z71 version of the Silverado 2500HD, it wants you to know how cool it could be. Say hello to "Big Red," powered by a 6.6-liter Duramax diesel backed by a six-speed Allison transmission, it combines a number of GM performance accessories with Rancho shocks and an "Earnhardt Red" paint scheme similar to that found on last year's NASCAR-legend inspired offering.

Chevy's full press release is posted after the jump.

The world of NASCAR was rocked today when Dale Earnhardt Junior, the motorsport's most marketable and therefore most valuable driver, announced he is leaving DEI, the race team originally owned by his father. It turns out that there may be some familial conflict at the center of Junior's departure, as some speculate that Teresa Earnhardt, his stepmother and father's wife at the time of his death, wasn't willing to meet all of his demands.

Junior and his sister, Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, were negotiating with DEI to gain control of 51% of the business and complete control of the race team. The press is speculating that while Teresa was willing to give up 51% of the company to Junior, she wanted Junior's control over the team to be tempered by a board or committee that would approve final decisions. Whatever the case, DEI's offer wasn't enough to keep Junior at the negotiating table any longer, and he'll become a free agent at the end of the season. The news is even worse for DEI, as some speculate that Budweiser, Junior's biggest sponsor, will follow him next year to whatever team that signs him.

[Source: Auto Racing Daily]

Only in Vegas. Madame Tussaud's unveiled their latest ghastly likenesses; we're not sure if the fact that the subjects are still alive makes it more creepy. The work is uncanny in its accuracy and lifelike look, and if you're in Vegas, Tussaud's is a veritable family attraction. The reason for the paraffin-ization of the left-turning legends was the kickoff of this weekend's races at Las Vegas's own Motor Speedway. The flesh and blood Petty and Earnhardt were on hand for the debut of their inanimate doppelgangers at the Neon Garage, though we're not sure if they'll be paying any visits to the exhibit's permanent home at the Venetian. They could roam the exhibit halls and catch glimpses of such luminaries as John Holmes (we're not sure if it's all of "Wad," or a partial model) Siegfried and Roy (before or after the mauling, again, not sure), and of course Fat Elvis. Good times, good times. Now, where's that buffet...

[Source: TCC]

Six years ago today, Dale Earnhardt died in a 150-mph crash on the last lap of the Daytona 500. To commemorate the date (and the release of "Dale: The Movie"), General Motors has dedicated "The Power of 3" Web site to the memory of Dale Earnhardt.

Visitors to the site can submit their memories of the Intimidator as well as find out when the movie will be coming to their town.

Read the full press release from GM after the jump.

The only Bud connection other than the closing logo shot in the commercial is that the beer is the primary sponsor of driver #8's Monte Carlo. No matter, we love this spot that sees Dale Jr. blast across the country in his vintage 'Vette to give his girlfriend back the lipstick she left in his ride. Thing's aren't as they seem, however, and things get awkward for Jr...

Watch and enjoy after the jump.

[Source: YouTube]

Not all of us here at Autoblog are huge NASCAR fans, but we all appreciate and respect Dale Earnhardt, whose death in 2001 was the result of a wreck during the Daytona 500. The Intimidator was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame this past weekend, with Sunday marking what would’ve been his 55th birthday.

Perhaps the most touching tribute was made-- or driven, by Dale Earnhardt Jr. who drove this black-painted replica of his father’s famous No. 3 car in the Aaron’s 499 at Talladega. Though the Chevrolet still sported Jr.’s own No. 8, the resemblance was remarkable, and no doubt sparked nostalgia for those racers who were lucky enough to trade paint with Earnhardt.

Unfortunately, the paint job didn’t help Junior take the checkered flag – his engine failed with about 37 laps to go.

[Source: NASCAR.com]

Parishoners of the non-denominational Bayside Community church were greeted yesterday by an interesting proposition:  a chance to be photographed next to the late Dale Earnhardt's No. 3 Chevrolet Monte Carlo NASCAR racer. Church officials, however, informed their flock that those interested in getting a snap with the great one's ride would require sitting through a sermon first and then sit through another one next week to pick up the photo. The pastor stated that use of the race car in such a manner was one of the church's "fresh ways to communicate the ageless gospel." Wonder what Junior thinks about it?

[Source: Herald Tribune]