HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- Tony Stewart slid out of his car in a NASCAR race for the final time and was swarmed by cameras, friends and rivals who wanted a piece of the retired champion.Jeff Gordon, another retired great, walked over to make the loosest of plans for their free time.Were gonna have fun, Gordon said.Damn right we are, Stewart replied.Stewarts final NASCAR race was pure fun -- and even a bit emotional for the notoriously gruff driver known as Smoke. But for all the accolades heaped and R-rated tales spun this week, Stewart made it clear he was simply a race car driver at heart to the end.I didnt think of anything else other than just racing the race, Stewart said.Stewart finished 22nd on Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway, the finish a mere footnote that capped a two-decade career stuffed with controversy and championships. He walked off with final memento: Jimmie Johnson gave his race helmet to Stewart moments after he won his seventh NASCAR championship.The gesture was the ultimate sign of respect toward a guy known as the ultimate pure driver.This is probably the biggest honor you can have as a driver, to get a guy that just won his seventh championship, to get his helmet like that, Stewart said.Earlier, Stewart sounded at peace heading into his final NASCAR race.Guys, its been a hell of a ride for 18 years, he said over the radio. Lets go out here and have one more good day.Hes had plenty of great ones through the years.Stewart had steeled his emotions in the lead-up to his final start and kept distractions at bay and close friends nearby before the race.His No. 14 Chevrolet was barricaded and protected by armed police officers before the season finale. His race car was essentially sitting in Turn 4, well away from the rest of the field. A banner flew nearby to tell fans where they could get a glimpse of the three-time Cup series champion.Its time. Lets go. Im ready, Stewart said.Stewart was feted with tributes all weekend by fellow drivers, fans, colleagues and every person who felt connected to him in even the smallest ways. He shed the gruff, prickly mood and became an almost happy-go-lucky guy. Stewart, clean-shaven, was all smiles as he posed for photo after photo, and hugged or wrapped his arm around crew members, and even the troops.Homestead saluted Stewart with a coordinated Thank you, Tony! yell from the grandstands as the photo ops stayed on schedule.My last photo with the boys, a Chevy employee shrieked.Gordon stopped by for a quick chat with Stewart. A year ago, Gordon was mobbed by so many fans that he struggled to get to his car before the finale.IndyCar driver Marco Andretti lingered near Stewarts car, and three-time Indianapolis 500 champion Helio Castroneves called Smoke one of racings greatest drivers. Joe Gibbs, Stewarts former car owner, hugged Stewart on pit road after the race.NASCAR added a ceremonial pace lap with Stewart leading the field before the race. There was a Ford truck that flew a Thank you, Smoke. 14 banner in front of him.His Chevrolet -- with dates of each of his 49 career wins etched into the paint scheme on the bumper -- took a lap down pit road, and Stewart slapped hands with crew members for all NASCAR teams.It made me think back to the moment when Dale Senior won the Daytona 500, Stewart said.NASCAR vice chairman Mike Helton thanked Stewart for the character and passion you brought to NASCAR all throughout your career.Stewarts career was given the highlight reel treatment in the pre-race drivers meeting with a colorful video of his biggest wins, playful banter and snippy one-liners. NASCAR drivers and crew members gave Stewart a rousing standing ovation. Stewart eventually stood and smiled, waiving in acknowledgment at the outpouring of affection.Stewart is just retiring from NASCAR driving. He has an ownership stake in Stewart-Haas Racing and will continue to race all over the country next year at the grassroots level. He may not be done yet poking NASCARs leaders.You understand, we still invite owners to the haulers sometimes, too, Helton quipped.Stewarts helmet was a weathered throwback that looked as if it had been hanging in a barn on his Indiana farm for decades. It appeared rusted, said Smoke. Unlimited Speed, and was a gritty symbol of one of the last true racers. The hood of Stewarts No. 14 Chevrolet is emblazoned with photos from his championship years next to the slogan Always a Racer, Forever a Champion.Stewart has yet to have his final ride.Hell go off-road riding Monday during his annual ATV trip.But when is his next official race?Stay tuned, he said, smiling. 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West Coast have ended a day of cat and mouse by opting against recalling star ruckman Nic Naitanui for Saturdays AFL clash with Collingwood at the MCG.Naitanui resumed full training last week and was considered a 50-50 chance to return against the Magpies.But the Eagles have decided to give Naitanui one more week on the training track to make sure hes fully recovered from the surgery he had on both feet.West Coast coach Adam Simpson is usually forthcoming about team selection.But, at lunchtime on Thursday, he refused to give anything away regarding Naitanuis chances of playing when he fronted the media.With the team announcement still four hours away, Simpson wanted Collingwood to sweat for a bit longer.Hes a player youve got to plan against, Simpson said.Its actually common sense (that) we dont announce our side too much earlier than everyone else.When pushed on the prospect of whether Naitanui would play, Simpson replied: Well move on from that question.Of course I can (understand the intrigue). I get them every day, those questions.Im all good with it. Its all fine. But youre not going to get anything out of me, so dont bother.West Coast recalled Dom Sheed for his first AFL match of the season, while Will Schofield, Mark Hutchings and Simon Tunbridge also return to the side.Jack Redden (shoulder) couldnt be considered, while Tomm Barrass (rested), Jonathan Giles (omitted) and Jackson Nelson (omitted) drop out of the squad.ddddddddddddCollingwood were dealt a triple injury blow, with Alex Fasolo (shoulder), Jarryd Blair (groin), and Ben Sinclair (concussion) all forced out.Rupert Wills was named for his debut, while Ben Crocker and Jordan De Goey also come into the side.Although West Coast have won all five games since Naitanui underwent surgery last month to relieve achilles tendon pain, their form has been scratchy.Simpson conceded they were lucky to escape with a six-point win against the Demons after losing the inside-50m count 66-37.The fifth-placed Eagles (12-5) are yet to rediscover the form that took them all the way to last years grand final.Simpson knows the clock is ticking, and hes desperate to fix up his teams problem areas.Its interesting. Were in winning form, but probably not good form, Simpson said.Weve won eight out of (past) 10 games, so were pretty happy with that.But clearly, we can play better. Weve acknowledged that.You would have thought were not going to progress too far if we continue to play the same standard were playing at the moment.Its not panic stations, but its real. Its what were going through. ' ' '