Jimmie Johnson is the champion again; Mark Martin is a runner-up again; Kyle Busch won 20 races in NASCAR's top three divisions again, one less than he claimed in 2008. We even remained one flat tire, one spin, one engine failure away from a possible upset for the season title in what turned out to be a rather competitive finale at Homestead.

Denny Hamlin won the race, his fourth of the year, to make one wonder what he might have done without those three DNF's. Jeff Burton and Kevin Harvick finished just behind him, reminding us how strong the RCR entries have been over the past month. Joey Logano was named the year's top probie, making us think that maybe next year will be the year he finally starts shaving.

Forget Danny Bonaduce. I want to see Tony Stewart and Juan Pablo Montoya square off in the ring. Apparently their little on track feud began on Sunday when Tony tried to pay Juan back. Juan gave Tony a nudge. Tony nudged back, sending Juan to the wall, then behind the wall, only to return to play the role of that big tanker truck from the movie "Duel", with Stewart playing Dennis Weaver's character. It made one almost think they were watching a NASCAR race.

Do you remember those commercials about engine sludge? You know, where the car is about to make the big jump before all that black crap came down to stop it dead. That is how the day went for Marcos Ambrose. He took the lead from Johnson only to immediately cut a tire. Then they had to go under the hood. Then the car took a couple of solo spins. Too bad he wasn't sponsored by Bass Pro Shops. They sell guns, don't they? That car sure needed one to put it out of its misery.

Why does Dale Earnhardt Jr's season come to mind? It was his worst year in his ten full-time seasons, and while he made a showing near the front early on Sunday, it slipped to mid-pack, never to seen again. Still, he no doubt out sold Jimmie big time at the concession stand once again.

The season ends and so does Pat Tryson's association as crew chief for Kurt Busch. After the race, the driver almost said some nice things about the newly departed, until announcing that they plan to get an even better guy to replace him.

Roush cuts down to a four car garage next year, as Jamie McMurray moves over to be #1 at Earnhardt Ganassi. That car is being vacated by Martin Truex Jr who combines with Tryson in starting up the #56 ride at Waltrip, while Brad Keselowski has already taken over the #12 for Penske.

Am I the only one who is glad it is over for at least a few months? I loved watching the World Series, my excitement builds as we near the Super Bowl, but I found it something of a struggle as we neared the climax of the NASCAR schedule. Maybe one reason is that Homestead is treated like just another race instead of the place where champions are declared.

The season starts with a bang with the Daytona 500. It is a special place, a special race. Maybe the season should end the same way. Where was Cale Yarborough on Sunday, the man who's record string of three straight titles was broken by Jimmie Johnson? Where was the King, where was the only living seven time champion on this special night? Where was Junior Johnson, one from the Hall of Fame's inaugural class to welcome a future inductee to the podium? Where was Jeff Gordon, the other four-time winner, when it came time for the celebration? Where was the hype?

If Daytona is a circus, Homestead is barely a picnic. We should feel somewhat euphoric after the parade passes by, waiting in anticipation as we count down the days to its return. Instead, we feel more like the guy with the shovel cleaning up after the horses and elephants, just happy the damn thing is finally over. That should not be.

We have less than 11 weeks until the Budweiser Shootout, but maybe I'll let Christmas and the Super Bowl go by before I start thinking of picking up that shovel again.