Column: NASCAR finale a respite from exodus of stars

HOMESTEAD, Fla. (AP) — As Kyle Busch walked off the stage following the final race of the year, a NASCAR official told the driver he would see him next season.

"If I don't retire," Busch said.

Ummm, what?

"Wouldn't be the first guy," Busch quipped.

Busch was probably just making a joke about Carl Edwards, who lost last year's championship then abruptly retired right before the start of this season. His decision sparked a radical makeover in which NASCAR's longtime stars are being replaced by fresh-faced newcomers.

The season finale on Sunday brought an end to the full-time racing careers of Dale Earnhardt Jr., Danica Patrick and Matt Kenseth. Tony Stewart retired right before Edwards did. Jeff Gordon walked away after 2015.