Leah Pruett, a prominent Top Fuel Dragster competitor, announced her intention to make a comeback with the Tony Stewart NHRA team in 2026 after taking time off to start a family. Pruett paused her racing career in the previous season as she and her husband, Tony Stewart, welcomed their first child, bringing significant excitement back to the team and its fans.
During her hiatus, the Tony Stewart NHRA team continued to compete, with Tony Stewart stepping into the Top Fuel dragster. This transition enabled Pruett to focus on motherhood while keeping herself connected to the workings of Tony Stewart Racing (TSR).
Family Milestone and Stewart’s Racing Achievements During Hiatus
The couple celebrated the birth of Dominic James Stewart during the NHRA Finals in Pomona, California last November. Tony Stewart, having reached the semifinals at that time, briefly left the track to be present at the birth and later returned to complete the semifinals round. Despite the temporary absence, Stewart capped the season by ranking ninth in the Top Fuel standings and being named the 2024 NHRA Rookie of the Year.
Pruett expressed her gratitude toward her husband and the team, emphasizing the support that made her journey into motherhood possible as she remained passionate about returning to racing.
“I’d first like to thank Tony, the team, and our partners for allowing me the necessary time on my hiatus to start our family, learn motherhood, and welcome me back. I tested in Richmond earlier this year, which, as expected, validated my eagerness and passion for racing Top Fuel,”
Pruett said in a statement (via NHRA). —Leah Pruett, Driver
In the meantime, Stewart made strides of his own as a driver by securing his first Top Fuel victory at the Four-Wide Nationals in Las Vegas, earning an additional win at Route 66 Raceway, and finishing as the regular season champion at the NHRA US Nationals in Indianapolis. These achievements solidified TSR’s reputation while Pruett handled off-track responsibilities.
Pruett’s Role Beyond the Track and Continued Team Involvement
Over the past two seasons, Leah Pruett took on significant roles behind the scenes at Tony Stewart Racing, deepening her understanding of the team’s operations. She closely collaborated with crew chief Neal Strausbaugh and car chief Mike Domagala, helping shape the team’s off-track strategies. Serving as a brand ambassador for Dodge Direct Connection and Mopar, she also kept TSR connected with key partners, demonstrating her continued commitment to the program’s broader success.
During her time away from racing, Pruett made it clear that her passion for driving never diminished by testing the dragster earlier in the year.
“Tony Stewart has done an incredible job behind the wheel, as many would expect, but I know how much he’s devoted himself to being the best ‘driver replacement’ he can be, and I couldn’t be more proud and thankful for him,”
Pruett added. —Leah Pruett, Driver
Stewart’s View on Pruett’s Return and the Team’s Future
Tony Stewart himself publicly praised Pruett’s significant contributions to the team’s recent success and the ongoing projects she has supported.
“She’s been a very critical part of this team’s success and projects that we’re working on, so she hasn’t sat on her hands by any means, but first and foremost, I know she wants to drive that car more than anything,”
Tony Stewart said in the statement. —Tony Stewart, Team Owner
Besides fielding Leah Pruett and the Top Fuel dragster, TSR also supports Funny Car driver Matt Hagan, who won the 2023 Funny Car championship. With Stewart having concluded his chapter as a NASCAR team owner by closing Stewart Haas Racing after the 2024 season, the full extent of his future racing plans remains uncertain, adding further intrigue to Pruett’s anticipated NHRA return in 2026.
What Pruett’s Comeback Means for the Tony Stewart NHRA Team
Leah Pruett’s 2026 return signals a fresh surge of momentum for the Tony Stewart NHRA team racing news landscape. As Stewart has proven adept both as a driver and a team leader while Pruett has taken on new responsibilities, their combined experience and passion may elevate TSR’s performance in the NHRA circuit. Pruett’s eagerness to compete and Stewart’s recent successes present a compelling story of resilience and partnership that fans and fellow competitors will be watching closely in the seasons to come.
