Tony Stewart’s NHRA championship season highlights came into sharp focus as over a million fans watched his performance during the 71st Annual NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, marking a significant moment for both his racing career and the growing popularity of drag racing. With Stewart clinching his first major NHRA title and his wife, Leah Pruett, and other top names like Shawn Langdon and Steve Torrence taking center stage, the event drew huge attention nationwide.
Record-Breaking Viewership Showcases Drag Racing Growth
The U.S. Nationals, held in Indianapolis on Labor Day Monday, saw a remarkable surge in viewership, with more than 1,036,000 fans tuning in to FOX to witness the excitement. This audience represented a 53% increase compared to the previous year’s event on the same day, indicating rising enthusiasm around the NHRA season and drawing in longtime fans as well as new viewers.
Leah Pruett, a notable drag racer and Stewart’s spouse, celebrated the achievement on social media, responding to the high ratings and applauding the sport’s reach across the United States. These numbers reflect a growing interest in NHRA drag racing, as the series gains momentum and mainstream attention.
Tony Stewart’s Road to NHRA Regular Season Championship
Stewart’s transition from NASCAR Cup Series champion to formidable NHRA competitor has been swift and successful. During the 71st Annual NHRA U.S. Nationals, Stewart secured his Regular Season Championship title in Top Fuel, outpacing Shawn Langdon and earning a 39-point margin victory in the elimination rounds. This first regular season championship marked a milestone in Stewart’s racing journey, enhancing his status among competitors such as Justin Ashley, Steve Torrence, and Kyle Wurtzel.
Qualifying tenth, Stewart delivered solid runs throughout the rounds, facing off against top contenders, including Torrence and Wurtzel, and building crucial points to claim the standings lead. Although he narrowly missed out on victory in the final to Justin Ashley, his performance reaffirmed that Stewart remains a dominant force as the Countdown to the Championship playoffs approach.
The championship season was punctuated by wins in Las Vegas and Chicago, adding to Stewart’s growing NHRA legacy and strengthening his presence as a team owner and driver in the sport.
Leah Pruett’s Racing Journey and Continued Influence
Leah Pruett, known for her achievements as a 12-time NHRA race winner, has long been a significant figure in drag racing. Her racing career began in the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League at the age of eight, and she steadily rose through the ranks, competing in categories like Pro Mod and Nostalgia Funny Car before her Top Fuel debut in 2013.
In June 2025, Pruett ended a 499-day break from Top Fuel competition by testing Tony Stewart’s NHRA dragster at Virginia Motorsports Park. Despite scorching weather conditions, she embraced her return to the driver’s seat and shared her experience on social media, highlighting the importance of maintaining her racing skills while also focusing on her family life.
“499 days. That’s how long it had been since I last wheeled a Top Fueler — until Monday. ☺️ And trust me… I didn’t care that we were testing in some of the nastiest conditions ever (98.6º ambient, 146º on the track). After 499 days out of the seat… it felt incredibly good to knock the rust off.”
—Leah Pruett, Drag Racer
“This test day had been in the works for months. I drove Tony’s car — the one built and fitted for him. Swapped out seat inserts and a couple belts, and I was… dialed in-ish. 😏 We got in 3 good hits in, checked off key items from our parts test list, and left @racevmp with self assurance that ‘racer Leah’ can absolutely co-exist with ‘mamma Leah.’ Keeping my NHRA license current means a lot to me.”
—Leah Pruett, Drag Racer
Pruett had stepped away from regular competition to start a family with Tony Stewart, balancing her commitment to racing with her new life outside the track. Her recent test session underscored her enduring passion for the sport and her determination to keep her NHRA license active, while inspiring other racers who juggle personal and professional challenges.
Impact and What This Means for NHRA’s Future
The surge in viewership and Stewart’s championship season have cast a bright spotlight on NHRA drag racing, bringing competitors like Justin Ashley, Kyle Wurtzel, and Steve Torrence greater visibility and strengthening the connection between fans and drivers. The success of the recent U.S. Nationals, combined with Tony Stewart’s winning season and Leah Pruett’s return, signals a promising future for the series as it appeals to broader audiences and draws in new participants.
With the Countdown to the Championship playoffs on the horizon, the achievements of Stewart and Pruett are likely to energize both fans and fellow racers, ensuring that NHRA drag racing maintains strong momentum through the rest of the season and beyond.
