Eddie Vedder was on hand Friday night in Las Vegas at the NASCAR Gala. He honoured newly-retired NASCAR driver Tony Stewart.

“When I first met Tony, I was humbled to hear him say how much our music meant to him and it got him through some rough, tough and difficult times, and I can relate. You know that music can inspire and friends can do all they can, but it’s really up to the individual to lift the burdens and persevere and live again. And then live to race again, and race to win again.”

The Pearl Jam frontman also accepted a $1.8 million donation from NASCAR on behalf of Stewart for his non-profit organization, EB Research Partnership, which aims to cure Epidermolysis Bullosa, a devastating skin disorder that affects children.