Tony Stewart honored by NASCAR, Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder in big way

Tony Stewart finished out his final year of racing in NASCAR's Premier Series by giving his last speech as a driver on stage during Friday night's awards banquet in Las Vegas.

"It's been an awesome journey," said Stewart while on stage in the main ballroom at the Wynn Las Vegas. "From racing go-karts with my father, to joining Joe Gibbs Racing and now Stewart-Haas Racing ... it's been one hell of a journey that's just been a lot of fun."

And Smoke was quick to remind everyone that although he won't be in a race car in the series next season, he's not going anywhere.

"Everybody keeps saying I'm retiring. I'm not retiring from anything," added Stewart. "I'm still going to be the same pain in the ass with all the NASCAR officials. I'm certain there's already a pool going on back there at the NASCAR officials table on what the over-under is on getting called to the trailer as an owner."

"It's going to be fun to come to the track next year without a helmet, but instead I'll wear a headset, it's just a different role," he added.

In typical Stewart fashion, he reminded his driver, Kevin Harvick, and wife DeLana they would especially be the "butt" of his sense of humor.

"I'm still going to be racing and having fun, and I'm still going to harass as many people every week as I can," Stewart said jokingly. "And Kevin (Harvick) and DeLana, your rear-ends are still in jeopardy every week. More so DeLana's than Kevin's. Kevin doesn't work on his nearly as hard, and that's OK with me."

Stewart spent time reflecting on what he's been able to experience during his 20-year NASCAR career.

"It's just been unbelievable," he said. "I've gotten to race against some of the greatest personalities and the greatest race car drivers in the world and that's been a huge honor for me."

Stewart also thanked this year's championship-winning team owner Rick Hendrick for the influence he's had on his career.

"Rick, if it weren't for you, I wouldn't be a car owner in this sport," Stewart said. "I would have retired as a driver, and this would have been the end of it for me. Because of you, I had the courage to make a big change in my life and join you (Rick), Joe Gibbs and J.D. Gibbs and be an owner in this sport. That's something I'm really looking forward to in the future. If I ever grow up, I want to be you."

The highlight of Stewart's night was a big surprise, as Pearl Jam lead singer Eddie Vedder came to see his good friend.

And in honor of the three-time champion's 20-year driving career, the NASCAR industry came together to make an incredible $1.8 million donation on Stewart's behalf to Vedder's EB (Epidermolysis Bullosa) Research Partnership, the largest global non-profit dedicating to curing EB.

“When I first heard about it, it was quite hard to grasp the intensity of the condition,” Vedder said. “It’s about the most insane skin disorder you could imagine. And when you realize it also affects the internal organs, you see it as diabolical. It’s very hard to describe until you meet the young folks with it, and they make you realize how much you take for granted. You also realize that these are some of the strongest, coolest, most admirable people on the face of the Earth.”

EB is a very severe and debilitating skin disorder as those with the disease lack proteins needs for layers of skin to bind together, which causes the skin to tear apart, blister and sheer off.

The industry's initial goal was to raise $1.4 million, but thanks widespread support, they were able to donate even more in Stewart's name.

“The pain these kids face is constant, and yet they still find ways to stay upbeat,” Stewart said. “You quickly realize that your idea of a bad day is nothing. It puts your life and the things you take for granted in perspective. But it also makes you mad, because this is a devastating disorder that no one should have to endure. Yet it exists, and after seeing it, you want to do anything you can to make it go away.”