The final race of Tony Stewart's storied NASCAR Cup career wasn't very memorable although he got a pretty cool souvenir.
Stewart may have finished 22nd after hanging at the back of the field for much of Sunday's Ford EcoBoost 400, but he was in Victory Lane following the race celebrating with Jimmie Johnson _ who gave Stewart the helmet he wore while driving toward history.
Johnson's win Sunday gave him a record-tying seventh Sprint Cup championship; the customized helmet with the likeness of Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty painted on the back _ whom Johnson tied with his last-dash win _ now goes into Stewart's growing collection.
"I promised Tony he could have this helmet," Johnson said.
Stewart was feted both before and after Sunday's race which he said is the final in his 18-year career.
Although Stewart started Sunday's race on Row 6, he didn't stay near the front of the pack for long as he drifted toward the back of the grid before being lapped as he stayed at least a lap down for much of the race.
It wasn't the way Stewart wanted to go out, although he said the car he drove his last Cup race in is joining his large collection in his hometown of Columbus, Indiana.
"It came through without a scratch on it," he said. "I'm proud of it, proud of these guys. This wasn't exactly the way we wanted the way to go, but the race was fun."
Stewart ends his Cup career with 618 starts, 49 victories and three Cup championship _ the final of which was won at Homestead in 2011.
When Stewart headed down pit row on his way onto the track, pit crew members from each team came out to greet him.
"That," he said, "was the highlight of the day."
Once on the track, Stewart moved to the front of the field for a celebratory parade lap. Stewart paced the field, following a Ford truck towing a large banner which read 'Thank you Smoke.'
