Meanwhile, in NASCAR ...

 And here the obligatory response from the American public: "They're still playin'?"

Well, yes, they are, or were until yesterday, when Chase Elliott took the final checkered flag of the season out in Phoenix, and Jimmie Johnson took his final checkered flag ever. It was one of those moments of pleasing symmetry we see too little of in sports, or frankly anywhere.

Elliott, 24, son of Awesome Bill From Dawsonville, became the third youngest driver to win the NASCAR Cup Series title, and certainly one of the most popular.

Johnson, 45. seven-time champion for Hendrick Motorsports, stepped off the stage on the same day Elliott, his teammate and protege, stepped onto it.

Now that is one neat scenario, boys and girls. Not a single rough edge or whopperjawed corner to disrupt it.

It's also a day when NASCAR could likely say "Let's see our overly demanding fan base find something to bitch about with this." Because not only is Elliott the successor to Dale Jr. as NASCAR's most popular driver, the image of him hugging his departing mentor in Victory Lane likely will become a part of NASCAR's promotional montages for years to come.

Which of course means there will no doubt be some sadsacks out there who will say "Yeaaaahh, wait a minute." They'll point out, as they invariably do, that the whole deal was a little too perfect, implying that NASCAR rigged the whole thing to give it a grand ending to a bizarre and unsettled year.

But phooey on them. This was not a day for cynics and cranks, so best to usher them back to the dark corners from whence they scuttled.

No, sir. This was a day for youth served, and for age honored. NASCAR -- or any sporting entity, really -- doesn't get many like 'em.

Good on ya, young Chase.

Here's to ya, Sir Jimmie.

Take a bow, both of you. NASCAR, too.