When Rock Meets Racing
NASCAR and The Rolling Stones announced a partnership on June 24 that will fuse the high‑octane world of stock car racing with the legendary catalog of one of rock’s most enduring acts. The collaboration centers on the band’s upcoming album, Foreign Tongues, scheduled for release on July 10, which marks the first complete studio record since the passing of drummer Charlie Watts in 2021.
The record features a track built from Watts’ final session recordings and includes guest appearances by Steve Winwood, Paul McCartney, Robert Smith and Chad Smith, underscoring the album’s blend of classic Stones sound with surprise collaborations.
A custom mobile listening space will roll through Chicago neighborhoods in the days leading up to the Chicagoland race weekend on July 4‑5, offering fans an immersive preview of the new songs, exclusive merchandise and a chance to meet NASCAR drivers Megan Malayter, Jesse Love, Connor Zilisch, Carson Hocevar and Cleetus McFarland who will be on hand for the events.
The rollout is part of a broader promotional push that also includes special editions of Foreign Tongues tied to FIFA and Marvel, as well as co‑branded apparel and vinyl releases from Capitol Records, the band’s long‑time label.
For longtime fans, the partnership underscores The Rolling Stones’ continued willingness to experiment, following earlier collaborations with FIFA and Marvel, while for NASCAR it provides a fresh cultural hook as the series heads into its summer schedule.
Charlie Watts may no longer be on the road, but his rhythmic imprint lives on in the album’s grooves, and his legacy was highlighted during the Chicago listening sessions, where the late musician’s final recordings were played for the first time in public.