As Tony Stewart prepares for his 12th start of the 2025 season at Pacific Raceways on July 20, speculation is swirling around the NHRA world. With Leah Pruett absent from Stewart’s side for the first time in years, fans are left wondering about her potential return and the impact on the Tony Stewart NHRA race Pacific Raceways event.
Stewart, an 18-time NHRA winner, usually competes with the strong support of his wife and their toddler, Dominic. However, for the 36th annual Muckleshoot Casino Resort NHRA Northwest Nationals, Pruett and Dominic will be far from the track, attending a family obligation.
Leah Pruett Prioritizes Family While Stewart Chases NHRA Title
Pruett is attending a family gathering with their son Dominic, who is under a year old. Formerly behind the wheel of the TSR Direct Connection Dodge//SRT Top Fuel dragster now piloted by Stewart, she is on a break from racing to dedicate time to motherhood. Pruett’s absence from this race marks the first event she will miss in nearly a decade, except for an earlier short break when she gave birth to Dominic during Pomona2.
Posting on social media, Pruett shared a reflective moment about missing the event:
“Bye Bye Washington. Dom and I are headed South for a family event. First race I’ve missed in about a decade (besides when I had Dom during Pomona2). Good luck this wknd @tsrnitro!”
—Leah Pruett, NHRA Driver
With NHRA fans accustomed to seeing the family together at every round, her absence is noticeable. The event is set for live coverage on NHRA.tv at 11 a.m. PST, with Stewart leading the NHRA points standings at 848 points. He faces strong competition from Shawn Langdon, Justin Ashley, Doug Kalitta, and Anton Brown—all key names vying for a top finish at Pacific Raceways.
Tony Stewart Discusses Pruett’s Influence and Responsibilities
Tony Stewart, deep into his second year driving Pruett’s Top Fuel dragster, emphasized her continued significant role within Tony Stewart Racing, even if she isn’t on track. Now 37 and originally from Redlands, California, Pruett remains hands-on with the team’s operations while caring for their child. Stewart openly expressed appreciation for his wife’s behind-the-scenes contributions and the juggling act she manages each week:
“That’s the reality of it. We have help, but Leah has huge responsibilities, not only as a mom, and a babysitter for me,” Tony Stewart acknowledged. “But now on top of that, she plays a very crucial role with the race team. She doesn’t just sit around.”
—Tony Stewart, NHRA Driver
“She’s not sitting on her hands all day away from the kid. She’s working in this pit. So she has a full schedule and we have help with Dominic here and it’s gone really, really well,” he added.
—Tony Stewart, NHRA Driver
Her multifaceted involvement, spanning from parenthood to her significant input with the race team, continues to have a profound impact on Tony Stewart Racing’s ability to compete at the highest level.
Pruett’s Recent Track Activity Fuels Comeback Talk
Despite her hiatus, Pruett has maintained some connection to the dragster. She recently completed a test run at Virginia Motorsports Park in her familiar No. 14 TSR Top Fuel dragster, just a day after the Virginia NHRA Nationals. This session occurred ahead of the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals held on June 29, sparking further speculation among observers about her return to competition.
With the Tony Stewart NHRA race Pacific Raceways now unfolding without her at the track, fans and insiders are watching closely for any developments on Pruett’s potential comeback. Her enduring presence within the team and continued engagement with test runs suggest that while she is focused on family today, a future return to racing remains possible.
The dynamic between Stewart’s racing ambitions and Pruett’s balancing act as a dedicated mom, team pillar, and former champion continues to shape Tony Stewart Racing’s narrative. As the NHRA season progresses, attention will stay fixed on whether Pruett steps back into competition and how her absence this weekend shapes both family life and team performance moving forward.
