Last year NHRA drag racer Leah Pruett took the year off while her and husband Tony Stewart worked on their plan to start a family. Stewart took over the driving duties in Leah’s dragster.
Last November Dominic was born and has been joining mom and dad at the races.
Now Leah is ready to return to racing and is planning to rejoin the NHRA races next season.
Stewart – known as “Smoke” – is a three time NASCAR Cup Series champion and a member of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Last year Smoke added Top Fuel Drag Racing to his long list of accomplishments; adding to his trophy case in the process including a Rookie of the Year trophy last year.
While Pruett has been away from driving the cars, she has actively been a part of the everyday operations of Tony Stewart Racing who owns the cars Pruett and Stewart race.
At a press conference Pruett said, “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. Tony 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.”
After a test earlier this year at Richmond Pruett said it, “validated my eagerness and passion for racing Top Fuel”.
Racing since she was eight years old, Pruett is a 12 time NHRA Top Fuel winner.
Dodge CEO Matt McAlear spoke on Pruett’s return saying, “it feels like Pruett is coming home.”
He added, “we appreciate the incredible job that team owner and motorsports legend Tony Stewart is doing filling in for Leah in the race car as the couple starts their family with son Dominic, and we will continue to root for Tony as he fights for the 2025 NHRA Top Fuel championship. But Tony has always said it was Leah’s race car, and we totally support the Stewarts’ decision and look forward to a successful future ahead at the dragstrip for Dodge and Tony Stewart Racing.”
So far this year Smoke has won two Top Fuel races and has earned the regular season championship for 2025.
While he has yet to announce his plans for 2026, Smoke said, “I’m excited to see Leah get back in a race car. She’s done such an amazing job of becoming a mother and going through a whole year of pregnancy and our first year with Dominic. I know deep down inside that she wants to drive that race car really bad, so I’m just excited to see her get that opportunity again.”
He added, “I appreciate what she’s done to help our family and help this entire race team. 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.”
feature photo courtesy of the Associated Press