Congrats Smoke

[harvey lee]

What an awesome driving job by team Smoke. What a great way to turn it on and win 5 of the 10 Chase races. This will go down more than likely as the closet championship finish ever. It could not get closer.

[rich4walleyes]

That was a very exciting race no matter who you were cheering for. NASCAR could not ask for anything more exciting than this to end the year with!! WTG SMOKE! ! !

[jmd1]

Great race and while i am not a fan of Edwards, he showed true sportsmanship by being the first person to congratulate tony. Best finish i can remember.

[S.D. Ice Angular]

This was an incredible race!!!!!!!!

Congrats Smoke!!!!

[fishinchicks]

Now that was exciting! Congratulations to Tony! I was impressed by Carl's attitude, and he earned some respect for his class.

I had to go back and DVR the end of the race for hubby, who had a meeting. It was just as exciting watching it over again!

[gregg52]

it was fun to watch

tonys crew chief got extremly lucky with the rain

if it hadnt rain i believe carl woulda got him

but tony drove like a man after a championship thats sure

bumps him up in the elite of nascar champions thats for sure

and he might not be done he could easly be a 5 timer

not in a row but still that says sometime in itself

early prediction for the 2012 champ

kasey kahne!!!!!

[SkunkedAgain]

Yup - Edwards drove not to lose and Smoke drove to win. You could see it in their styles, which essentially remained the same throughout the chase. I thought that it was interesting when the TV guys noted that Stewart complained to NASCAR about how reckless drivers were under restarts. When NASCAR told Tony to "deal with it," he said "F" it and drove with reckless abandon himself. That seemed to spark his revival and charge to a championship. It truly was a if-you-can't-beat-em-join-em mentality and it worked. Congrats.

I was just glad to finally see Kennseth have a strong chase. Maybe that opens the door for him to compete next season.

I also believe that Tony winning the tie breaker on wins, will motivate drivers even more next season. The lesson that Edwards and others may take home is that slow and steady doesn't win the race. Checkers or wreckers is back in vogue.

[PurpleFloyd]

Stewart is a guy who can win in any type of car on any surface. I have been a fan since the first race I saw him run in.

[lawdog]

Tony must love the Busch brothers, they are the only two that could keep him from being biggest jerkwad in the sport! Hold Grubb's kid and make happy with him and then it comes out you fired him. Reminds of the first "cars" movie where the King tells Lightening McQueen how great of a driver he is but that he's also an [PoorWordUsage]. Could fit Tony to a T!