Leah Pruett, accomplished NHRA driver and wife of three-time Cup champion Tony Stewart, has responded to Chase Briscoe‘s lighthearted social media post after his loss at the Phoenix NASCAR Cup Series finale last Sunday. This moment, now the talk of Tony Stewart NASCAR news circles, highlights the camaraderie and humor among top racing personalities following a dramatic season‘s end.
Briscoe’s Playful Banquet Post Draws a Response
Chase Briscoe, who recently finished his first season with Joe Gibbs Racing, attended the annual NASCAR awards banquet accompanied by his wife, Marissa Cooper Briscoe, and their eldest son. After an eventful year where he stepped into the No. 19 Toyota—replacing Martin Truex Jr.—Briscoe achieved three wins, several pole positions, and his first Championship 4 appearance. Despite not clinching the title at Phoenix, Briscoe kept his spirits high by sharing on social media:
“No hair and no championship trophy tonight at the banquet but I am taking home a trophy wife.”
Pruett joined the conversation in support, posting a supportive comment:
“Damn straight you are!”
Leah Pruett herself is preparing to return to the NHRA drag racing scene in 2026 after taking last season off to start a family with Tony Stewart. Pruett, who boasts 12 national Top Fuel event wins, temporarily handed the dragster to Stewart while she and Stewart welcomed their first child in November 2024.
Briscoe’s Reflections on Advice from Tony Stewart Ahead of Finale
As the Cup Series finale approached at Phoenix Raceway, Briscoe shared that he sought guidance from Tony Stewart before the deciding race. Having previously reached the Round of 8 with Stewart-Haas Racing, but never advancing to the final, Briscoe highlighted Stewart’s influence:
“I remember sitting on the grid after we fired engines and just crying for my whole childhood. I idolized Tony, he was my hero,” Briscoe said, via Forbes.
“The only person I have talked to is Tony Stewart. … When your hero reaches out wanting to give you advice, you certainly call him back. I took from what he said what I could, but Tony and I are two different personalities. What may have worked for him, may not work for me,” he added.
Despite his preparation, Briscoe’s run at Phoenix was derailed by tire troubles. He started the race from 12th position and was in the top ten for much of the event, yet suffered tire failures that ended his title hopes, finishing last among the playoff drivers in the finale. His reflective tone underscored the emotional and professional impact of both his season and this particular race.
What Lies Ahead for Pruett, Stewart, and Briscoe
As Leah Pruett plans her full-time return to NHRA drag racing in 2026, Tony Stewart continues to be both a family man and a source of inspiration for current drivers like Briscoe. Briscoe, meanwhile, will look to build on the lessons from this season and his new role with Joe Gibbs Racing, striving to make another championship run in the Cup Series.
This instance of camaraderie and support among Tony Stewart, Leah Pruett, and Chase Briscoe in the wake of high-stakes competition exemplifies how shared experiences and humor can bind top-level competitors, even as they prepare for the next chapter of their respective careers.
