After a decade away from the sport, Tony Stewart has made his surprise return to NASCAR, taking on a new role not just as a driver, but as a husband and father at this critical family milestone. The renowned champion, accompanied by his wife Leah Pruett and their son Dominic, is set to compete in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Daytona International Speedway, marking a moment unlike any in his Hall of Fame career.
A Homecoming at Daytona With New Meaning
Tony Stewart, affectionately called “Smoke” by his fans, will step behind the wheel once again, this time driving for Kaulig Racing. His return comes at Daytona, a venue thick with history, but the motivation behind it is personal rather than professional glory. Joining him are Leah Pruett, whom he began dating in 2019, and their son Dominic, born in late 2024—two important figures who were never part of Stewart’s competitive NASCAR chapters in the past.
Experiencing a NASCAR Race as a Family
Thursday’s media event at Daytona brought Stewart back to familiar territory. Yet the atmosphere was decidedly different—lighter and more reflective. When asked if this unexpected comeback gave his wife pause about joining a world dominated by competition, Stewart replied humorously, though sincerity soon took over.
“I think it’s an opportunity that she never had to literally come to a NASCAR event and watch me drive in NASCAR,”
Stewart said.
“We get to have Leah here, and we get the cherry on top. We get Dominic here, too, who will have never had that opportunity, obviously. So we kind of get a two-for-one deal, getting my family to be a part of this with us.”
—Tony Stewart, Driver
Merging Two Separate Worlds
For Stewart, this event is more than just another start on the track. When he retired from NASCAR in 2016, his life lacked both Leah and Dominic. Stewart’s celebrated driving career had ended long before meeting his wife or welcoming his son. For Leah Pruett, this marks her first chance to see her husband compete in NASCAR from pit road, enveloped by the intense atmosphere she previously knew only from stories and highlights.
The couple’s engagement became public in 2021, and their family expanded when Dominic was born three years later. This unique Daytona weekend lets both Leah and Dominic join the pre-race ceremonies and stand with Stewart as he returns to the driver’s seat—a scenario he could never have imagined during his professional racing years.
One Unforgettable Race, but No Long-Term Comeback
Despite the emotion and excitement of the weekend, Stewart is clear that this return is not the start of a new driving chapter. He has emphasized that this is a singular event meant to share a unique experience with his family.
For Stewart, Kaulig Racing, and everyone present at Daytona International Speedway, the weekend is about more than competition—it’s the merging of legacy and family. As the engines roar to life, Stewart’s return serves as a reminder that every milestone, on or off the track, carries a significance that lasts long after the checkered flag falls.
Tony Stewart jokes that his wife, Leah, questioned her sanity in marrying him now that he has made a return to #NASCAR.
But he can't deny that this provides an opportunity to enjoy new family moments on the pre-race grid. https://t.co/MuQYSHpnZy— John Newby (@JohnNewby_) February 13, 2026
