Leah Pruett is making her return to NHRA Top Fuel drag racing in 2026, eager to continue her pursuit of a championship after a 27-month break. The 37-year-old driver will compete at the season opener, the Amalie Motor Oil Gatornationals in Gainesville, Florida, from March 6-8, signaling a determined comeback with unfinished business in the sport.
Pruett’s hiatus began after the 2023 season, when she stepped away from her 335-mph dragster to focus on motherhood following the birth of her and NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart’s first child, Dominic, in November 2024. Despite some speculation about retirement, Pruett never officially stepped away from racing and now returns with renewed passion and focus.
Navigating Motherhood and Racing: Pruett’s Journey Back to the Track
After giving birth and spending time as a mother, Pruett has been carefully preparing for her comeback behind the wheel. She credits the break with giving her fresh perspective and freedom from previous superstitions and mental blocks.
“I love being back, every part of it, The focus, the hustle, the long days and nights, the progress, the immediate turnarounds, the satisfaction that I do not feel that I have been out of the seat for two years, the positive results of applying new strategies inside the cockpit that work, and kicking others to the absolute curb. It sounds funny, but I’ve let all superstitions go, and even frames of mind that have held me bound, which is absolutely freeing.”
— Leah Pruett, NHRA Driver
While Pruett was away from racing, her husband Tony Stewart, now in his fourth full season, filled in as the driver of her car at Tony Stewart Racing (TSR). Stewart showed steady progress, climbing from ninth place in 2024 to fifth in 2025. With Pruett’s return, Stewart has handed back the reins to his wife, expressing pride in her dedication both on and off the track.
“I’m excited to see Leah get back in our TSR Dodge Top Fueler. She’s done such an amazing job of becoming a mother, going through a whole year of pregnancy and our first year with Dominic. I knew deep down inside she wanted to drive that race car really bad, so I’m just excited to see her get that opportunity again. She has been a critical part of this team’s success and projects that we’re working on. And I know she wants to drive that car more than anything.”
— Tony Stewart, NHRA Driver and Team Owner
Unique Dynamic: Racing Against Her Husband and Team Owner
In an interesting twist for the 2026 season, Stewart will race for Elite Motorsports in their first-ever Top Fuel dragster, separating him from Leah’s TSR team. This creates the possibility of husband and wife competing directly on the track, a prospect they both welcome with a mixture of competitive spirit and camaraderie.
“And yes, with me in another Top Fuel car, we are going to have to race against each other this year. At first, I wasn’t sure about that. But I win in both situations. If I win the race, I move on to the next round. If Leah wins, my race team moves on to the next round. So, it’s a win-win for me.”
— Tony Stewart, NHRA Driver and Team Owner
Pruett admits she initially questioned whether her passion for racing remained strong after time away but quickly regained her competitive edge once back in the cockpit.
“I’ll be honest, I wasn’t totally sure that my passion for the sport was still there on the driving side. But once I got behind the wheel again, it was like I never left. My competitive spirit jumped right out again. I’m ready to go. And if I have to race Tony, then I’m set to beat him and he knows it. That matchup could happen as soon as the Gatornationals. Tony, myself, our respective teams and the fans will be ready for that one!”
— Leah Pruett, NHRA Driver
Despite the complexities of racing against her husband as both competitor and team owner, the couple has openly discussed the situation and embraced the challenge together.
“Sure, it will be a little different with Tony racing in another car and with another team … and we will have to race against each other too. But we have talked about that quite a bit before we announced I was coming back in the race car and then over the winter. Tony really enjoyed driving the Top Fuel car and he asked me about racing against him if it came together with Richard (Freeman) and the Elite Motorsports team. I was okay with it and it’s great for him.”
— Leah Pruett, NHRA Driver
Stay Active and Involved During Time Away
While Pruett was off the track, she remained deeply involved with racing activities by serving as a consultant and supporting both Stewart and driver Hagan. This kept her connected to the sport and allowed her to observe from a new angle.
“Being involved with the TSR team the last two years kept me active in the sport, and watching from outside the cockpit was a different perspective. When I first tested the dragster again, my brain was at 150 mph, and the car was going 300 mph. Working with the team in a different capacity the past two years had me deeply involved in the team’s activities, and I was like a student again talking with Tony. I was listening to Tony’s description of the car and engine, and it was similar to when he was starting in drag racing and I was his driver coach. Now, I am really anxious to make some ‘hits’ with the new race car. It feels great and I am ready to be behind the wheel again.”
— Leah Pruett, NHRA Driver
Pruett’s Motivation Fueled by Past Near-Championship
Coming close to the Top Fuel championship in 2023, Pruett lost the title in the final round of the World Finals to Doug Kalitta, who claimed his first dragster crown. That experience left Pruett motivated to return stronger and aim for her first championship win.
The 2026 season holds additional significance as it marks the 75th anniversary of NHRA, making a title win especially meaningful for Pruett and fellow drivers like Hagan.
Preparing for the 2026 Season with a Strong Support Team
Pruett’s race team includes co-crew chiefs Neal Strausbaugh and Mike Domagala, with Ryan McGilvry as car chief. They recently completed a rigorous Professional Racers Owners Organization (PRO) test in Gainesville, focusing on optimizing every part of the car and racing strategies.
“Our team prepared very well to optimize our time at this test session, and it (showed). Every lap was extremely strategic, from riffling through new fuel systems, rear ends, engine tune, long game dynamic strategies and a long list of new and different parts and systems to making sure our spare car is 100% fully functional.”
— Leah Pruett, NHRA Driver
The team prides itself on strong leadership and communication, which Pruett believes will be critical to a successful season.
“The team dynamic honestly couldn’t be a more Mobil1 well-oiled machine. Sure, all of our bodies hurt a bit from moving, grooving, lifting, and hustling in ways that the off season doesn’t replicate, but our leadership from Neal and Mike continues to be profoundly strong. We are a team that values thorough communication, collective focus, and never individual ego.”
— Leah Pruett, NHRA Driver
Anticipation and Readiness for Competitive Return
Pruett hopes to make an immediate impact but acknowledges that missing two full seasons may mean a gradual restart. However, her confidence in her skills and ability to adapt remains high, and she embraces every on-track opportunity to sharpen her performance.
“Although I am happy with my cadence and my brain’s processing speed of where I am on the track while I’m in the car, I’m looking forward to dialing in details in the cockpit that have worked for me so far. There are no substitutions for laps, no matter how many times I run scenarios in my brain. So, I’ll take as many hits on track as I can get.”
— Leah Pruett, NHRA Driver
She eagerly awaits the green light at the Gatornationals and anticipates a fast reacclimation to competitive racing.
“I’m very excited to get back in the car for the 2026 season. Last year, I wanted to make sure I still had a passion to race after sitting out two years. After giving birth to Dominic and then being a ‘mom’ for a year, I really wasn’t sure if I had the competitive level or should I sit out another year. I learned a lot from being outside the car and working on research and data with the crew chiefs and the team overall. It was a different experience but very helpful for a racing driver. I was like a student again, listening to Tony’s description of the car and engine. I worked with him like that when he was starting drag racing a few years ago. He was the student.”
— Leah Pruett, NHRA Driver
A Rivalry and Partnership Poised for NHRA Spotlight
As the new season unfolds, the dynamic between Pruett and Stewart will be a focal point in NHRA competition. Their unique roles as husband and wife, past mentor and student, and drivers for different teams add layers of intensity and interest.
Fans and teams alike will watch closely to see how Pruett’s comeback shapes the sport, as she aims to claim her first Top Fuel championship and prove the strength of her resilience and skill on the racetrack once again.
