Amidst the high stakes and rivalries of professional motorsports, Tony Stewart sponsor drama emerged when the celebrated driver began dating fellow racer Leah Pruett, each aligned with competing automotive giants. The public learned of the challenges they navigated only years later, as Stewart candidly discussed the behind-the-scenes negotiations involving top brands and personal relationships on a popular NASCAR podcast.
Racing Rivalries Meet Personal Lives
Tony Stewart, known to fans as “Snoke,” faced an unusual hurdle when he became involved with Leah Pruett, now his wife, due to their conflicting corporate allegiances. Stewart was a prominent figure for Mobil 1 and Ford, while Pruett was associated with Dodge and Pennzoil. These affiliations posed practical and reputational dilemmas as their relationship developed in the world of high-profile motorsport sponsorships.
Stewart spoke about these issues on Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s NASCAR podcast, revealing that he and Leah kept their relationship extremely private during its early stages. Only a select few knew of their connection before the couple became engaged in 2021. Stewart underscored the complexity by reflecting on the need to inform his team’s public relations department, noting just how few people were aware of the budding romance.
“She’s sponsored by Dodge; I’m sponsored by Ford. So, no joke. I called my PR guy and said, ‘Hey, this is what’s going on’ because nobody knew we were doing anything together. Like, there were two or three people that knew who I was with and where I was at.”
Fortuitously, none of the major sponsors—Ford, Mobil 1, Dodge, or Pennzoil—objected to Stewart and Pruett’s relationship. The companies chose to accommodate the couple, recognizing the personal separation from professional loyalties. Their romance began through an introduction by drag racing icon Don Prudhomme, and over time, Stewart and Pruett took careful measures to maintain professionalism, such as avoiding branded apparel at each other’s events.
Their dedication to managing conflicted interests was especially evident during a trip from Swing Arm City in Utah, a memory Stewart shared, where both he and Pruett juggled conversations with their respective sponsors while physically side by side.
“I remember on the way home from Swing Arm (City) with Ken (Block), I’m driving the motorhome, she’s on the right side of the motorhome and I’m on the phone with Mobil 1, she’s on the phone with Pennzoil and we hang up from that call and I’m calling Ford and she’s calling Dodge at the same time and we’re three feet from each other having these conversations.”
A Shared Professional and Personal Journey
After successfully navigating their sponsorship challenges, Tony Stewart and Leah Pruett married in 2021. By December 2025, the couple welcomed a son, Dominic, marking a new chapter in both their personal and professional lives. Stewart continued his racing career, competing full-time in the NHRA Top Fuel class, with plans to race for Elite Motorsports in 2026. Meanwhile, Pruett is set to pilot the NHRA Top Fuel dragster under the Tony Stewart Racing banner.
Temporary Racing Roles and Family Priorities
The couple’s teamwork extended beyond track sponsorships to racing duties themselves. With the announcement of their growing family, Leah Pruett stepped away from active racing duties to focus on motherhood. In her absence, Tony Stewart assumed her seat in the Tony Stewart Racing Top Fuel dragster throughout the 2024 and 2025 NHRA seasons, acting as a temporary replacement for his wife.
During this period, Stewart celebrated significant success by clinching his first Top Fuel event win in 2025 and earning the NHRA regular-season championship. Additionally, he was recognized as NHRA Rookie of the Year in 2024, further cementing his reputation as a versatile and accomplished driver.
“I said from the very beginning that I was just keeping Leah’s seat warm and that it was hers as soon as she was ready to come back,” Tony Stewart said in a statement. “And as much as I wanted to continue driving, TSR is not in a position to add a second Top Fuel car.”
“But with Richard (Freeman, owner of Elite Motorsports) buying Josh Hart’s team and our recent alliance, I can still work as an owner and a driver to help both our organizations grow,” he added.
Looking Ahead for Stewart, Pruett, and Their Teams
As the 2026 NHRA season approaches, Stewart prepares for his third consecutive year as a full-time Top Fuel competitor. In 2025, he finished fifth in the points standings, while Doug Kalitta secured the top position. The Stewart-Pruett partnership—both personal and professional—remains in the spotlight, especially with ongoing sponsorships, alliances with organizations like Elite Motorsports, and their balancing of family life with demanding racing careers. Their ability to manage Tony Stewart sponsor drama and maintain successful careers sets a notable precedent for others navigating similar paths in motorsport.
With both continuing their roles in competitive drag racing and new alliances being forged, Tony Stewart and Leah Pruett are expected to shape the NHRA landscape in the years to come.
