Finally, the end of the line. 3 champions to be crowned this weekend, and so many subplots to fill 20 mystery novels.

     But more importantly, the end of an era happens Sunday. Tony Stewart's swan song with Gibbs Racing takes place then. I can't believe I'm writing this, some 5 months or so after the fact...but there it is. Swan song.

     The day Tony signed on with JGR, was one of the happiest days of my life. Bigger, in fact, than any Redskins Super Bowl win. Then of course, winning 2 Cup titles made it that much more happier.

     I actually do remember sitting in the stands @ the Coke 600 in 2000, waiting to see "Smoke" win this sucker. (Still have a can holder from when he did the 1st "Double Duty" twinbill, which for the uninitiated was doing the 500 and the 600 on the same day...in '99.) Anyway, that didn't happen--but I did get to see Matt Kenseth win his 1st Cup race.

     10 years is a long time to spend in one place. So who can blame Tony for wanting to move on to better things?? At least I'll be able to crow on here when Joey Logano starts winning races (and championships) in the Home Depot #20 car. And speaking of "Sliced Bread" himself...

     It was nice to see Joey sitting 20th in Nationwide drivers' points. But that's not why I'll be watching the Nationwide race tomorrow afternoon. No, I'll be paying attention to the owners' points standings. That's because the #20 car sits atop that list, by only 28 points over the #2 car.

     Just think, Joe Gibbs can claim a Nationwide title to go along with the 3 Cup trophies he already has. Yes, it's an owners' title, but it's STILL a title. Don't piss on my parade, people. Let me enjoy this when it happens...and it WILL happen.

     Meanwhile, it's pretty white of Armando Fitz to give Marc Davis (the other JGR developmental driver) seat time in his #22 Nationwide car. Me, I'd like to see Marc in the #18 NW car next year...even if it's only part-time. Maybe they can run him for the drivers' title next year; I don't know what J.D.'s got planned for him, actually.

     So anyway, let me close this sucker out by saying a heartfelt "thank you" to Tony for 10 years of giving a giant "eff you" to NASCAR. I'll still take him in our Pick 'Em for the "Active NASCAR Group" come next year, in spite of all this. That ain't changing.

SMOKE RULES!!!