Miami: A race of finales

NASCAR's season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway was a historic event with Jimmie Johnson's coronation as a seven-time champ. But it also marked noteworthy farewells and transitions for several others in the sport.

As the smoke settles after 2016's final race, we offer a glance at the moments that will carry us to the offseason.

Tony Stewart said he never wanted attention or fanfare to accompany his final full season as a driver. Sunday at Homestead, the commemorations were harder to avoid.

The three-time series champ was recognized in the drivers' meeting with a tribute video and he led an extra ceremonial pace lap before the green. His final start resulted in a 22nd-place finish, but with plenty of smiles and well-wishes to celebrate a true racer's racer.

NASCAR also bid a fond farewell to longtime series backer Sprint, who made major contributions during the communications company's 13-year association with the sport. Johnson's seventh crown marked the last with Sprint as the entitlement sponsor.

Sprint also received special recognition in the pre-race drivers' meeting with a video montage of commercials and other special moments from its time in stock-car racing.

It was a farewell for Brian Scott, who announced two weeks ago that he would retire at season's end. Scott, a 28-year-old driver who has competed in all three NASCAR national series, indicated he was focused on spending more time with his family once his full-time driving days were done.

Scott finished 15th in his final start in Richard Petty Motorsports No. 44 Ford. I'm excited,' Scott said about his transition. 'I'm not sure what the future holds, but I'm excited to find out.'

The season finale brought an end to the worst season of Clint Bowyer's career in his one-year stop at HScott Motorsports. Bowyer finished 23rd Sunday to close a year that netted just three top-10 finishes and a 27th-place result in the final standings.

Next season, the Kansas native makes the transition to Stewart-Haas Racing as Tony Stewart's hand-picked successor in the famed No. 14.

When Bowyer arrives for duty, he'll find an organization in its own form of transition. Stewart-Haas Racing announced early in 2016 that it would convert its four-team operation in the premier series from Chevrolet to Ford.

The move also includes the addition of a one-car campaign in the NASCAR XFINITY Series with Cole Custer at the wheel. SHR had been affiliated with Chevy since team co-owners Tony Stewart and Gene Haas joined forces before the 2009 season.

The offseason will mark a shifting in series for Michael Annett, who plans to return to the XFINITY Series after three full seasons in Sprint Cup. Annett is scheduled to compete full time in 2017 for JR Motorsports, with sponsorship from Pilot and Flying J travel centers following him to the No. 5 Chevrolet.

Annett wrapped up the 2016 season with a 28th-place effort Sunday at Homestead. He was 36th in the final points standings, missing one race (Bristol in August) because of illness.

The 2016 finale also signified what may be the final race for Tommy Baldwin Racing, which announced Thursday it no longer would compete full time in NASCAR's top division. The organization indicated it had sold its team charter to Leavine Family Racing.

Regan Smith wrapped up his only season driving TBR's No. 7 Chevrolet with a 38th-place result after being caught up in a major multicar crash with Carl Edwards, Brad Keselowski and others just 11 laps from the finish.

A day after finishing 17th in the Homestead season finale, Greg Biffle and Roush Fenway Racing announced a mutual parting of the ways, ending an association that spanned 19 years across all three NASCAR national tours. Biffle accumulated all 19 of his premier series wins in car owner Jack Roush's No. 16 Ford, a seat he had filled since 2003. Biffle indicated in a Monday interview with SiriusXM NASCAR Radio that he had interest in continuing his driving career in 2017, but had no firm plans in place. The 46-year-old driver wound up 23rd in the final Sprint Cup points standings this season.