Tony Stewart and Leah Pruett have entered a new chapter as they welcome their son, Dominic, embracing family life after years focused on the world of racing. This shift marks a pause in Pruett’s drag racing career, as she and Stewart prioritize their new roles as parents while adjusting to life away from the track.
A New Journey Beyond the Racing Circuit
Last year, Leah Pruett made the deliberate decision to leave behind her demanding racing schedule in order to start a family with Tony Stewart, a former NASCAR driver and now her husband. Pruett, who has spent more than ten years in drag racing, stepped away during her pregnancy to focus on building a life together with Stewart. Their son, Dominic, arrived in November 2024, bringing a profound change to their daily routines and outlooks.
The couple’s relationship took shape quickly following Pruett’s separation from Gary Pritchett. She and Stewart announced their engagement in early 2019 and celebrated their marriage in November of that year. About two and a half years into their marriage, Pruett embraced the new experience of motherhood and family life, a transition she discussed openly in a recent podcast episode.
Leah Pruett Shares Life Lessons from Motherhood
Pruett spoke candidly about the changes and realizations she has experienced since stepping away from racing. She highlighted how motherhood has broadened her perspective, shifting her focus to her influence and the impact she can have on others as both a mother and a public figure.
“Now, being a mom, I’m understanding how important [it is], even though Dom’s only five months old,”
Pruett said (8:01-8:34).
“I am understanding about the influence in people’s lives. And really, I don’t want to say more careful, but I just understand the scope of what that’s like. And not even just little girls, but little boys or families as a whole, and what they experience at the drag race means to them.”
—Leah Pruett, Drag Racer
“I’m understanding what the experience is like going to the mall with Tony and just being with him and what they’re looking for and what those memories are that they’re trying to grasp. So I get to look at it as, I feel like, a much bigger picture than just the inspiration for those trying to drive,”
she added. —Leah Pruett, Drag Racer
The couple continues to be seen together in everyday settings, as they adapt to parenthood and appreciate life outside of professional racing. Pruett’s comments suggest a deepening appreciation for the broader experiences families seek and the memories they form beyond the racetrack.
No Immediate Plans for a Racing Comeback
Leah Pruett, who has competed since 2013 in the National Hot Rod Association’s Top Fuel Dragster category—earning a total of 12 wins, along with victories in Pro Mod and Factory Stock Showdown—has indicated there is no rush to return to competition. She chose to take a sabbatical last year, focusing on her well-being and her growing family.
“We had conversation at the end of last year about me getting back in the car, and I just had to be very truthful that I did not think that I could do a job for Dodge, for our fans, and be engaging with the team. And even though there’s not a strategy for it, my heart says that I’ll be back in a race car,”
she explained (via Autoweek). —Leah Pruett, Drag Racer
While Leah Pruett steps back, Tony Stewart has taken on driving duties in the Top Fuel Dragster class. Stewart has publicly stated that he will return the driving seat to Pruett once she decides to resume her racing career in the NHRA. This mutual support shows the couple’s commitment to both their sport and their new responsibilities at home.
Looking Ahead for the Stewart-Pruett Family
The arrival of Dominic marks a transformative period for Tony Stewart and Leah Pruett as they embrace new roles and priorities, shifting from a life defined by the fast pace of drag racing to one focused on nurturing their family. Although Pruett’s return to the sport remains uncertain, her words suggest that racing may one day again become part of their lives, but at a time and pace that suits their family’s needs. For now, Tony Stewart and Leah Pruett family life after racing is centered on raising their son and discovering fulfillment away from the dragstrip spotlight.
