Leah Pruett family racing became a defining story as Pruett and Tony Stewart both faced the challenge of balancing professional racing careers with starting a family. Pruett, in her thirties, had a stronger biological window, while Stewart, at 54, began contemplating children seriously only after meeting his wife. With Pruett’s career deeply rooted in drag racing, stepping away from driving meant risking her place on the track, yet both were committed to their future as parents.
Stewart Takes the Wheel During Pruett’s Maternity Leave
When Pruett revealed last year she would take a break from drag racing to pursue pregnancy, Stewart stepped into the role of driver. While expectations for Stewart matching Pruett’s skill were modest, he surprised many by performing exceptionally well. His breakthrough came in 2025, when he earned a significant win at the Four-Wide Nationals in Las Vegas and secured the regular season championship in the Top Fuel category.
During a joint appearance on Shannon Spake’s podcast, Pruett reflected on the internal struggle between her passion for racing and her desire to start a family, admitting that motherhood was something she had always wanted but struggled to prioritize amid her career.
The Couple’s Shared Vision for Family and Racing
From early in their relationship, Pruett and Stewart openly planned for children, agreeing quickly that family would be part of their life together. However, Pruett described the emotional difficulty of stepping away from competitive racing and publicly announcing her pregnancy.
But one of the most difficult things was stepping outside of the race car, announcing it to the world… I plan to be in the hopes of, and we did have trouble on my own side to get pregnant. And having to do that because there was not any type of protocol in motorsports in place.
– Leah Pruett, Professional Drag Racer
The Emergence of a New NHRA Policy for Pregnant Drivers
Pruett highlighted that motorsports organizations had protocols covering injuries and events like COVID, but none specifically addressed pregnancy. This gap forced female drivers to choose between competing or starting a family, without a formal support system.
I mean, we got pregnant and then in that time I was able to make a brand new rule with the policy change, basically, if a female driver gets pregnant during the season, that’s no different than injury protocol, a replacement driver can come in and carry on those same. So, because without that, you continuously always have to make that decision.
– Leah Pruett, Professional Drag Racer
This new rule ensures that if a female driver becomes pregnant mid-season, a substitute driver can take over, preserving the team’s competitive position and the original driver’s contract standing. Before this change, the lack of such policies created a significant professional obstacle for women in the sport.
Challenges Female Racers Face Beyond the Track
Pruett also addressed a broader concern within the racing community: although female drivers are often more appealing to sponsors and fans, some teams remain wary of the potential financial risks pregnancy poses. The uncertainty over a driver’s availability causes hesitation and can result in women losing their seat or opportunities, even before proving their full capabilities.
This situation underscores the tension between the sport’s growing inclusivity and practical challenges female racers face when combining motherhood with their careers. The policy change spearheaded by Pruett marks a crucial step toward addressing these issues, aiming to create a more supportive environment for women who want both family and racing success.
