After a successful career in stock car racing, former NASCAR Cup Series champion Tony Stewart ventured into drag racing by assembling an NHRA team for his wife, Leah Pruett, in 2021. During a POWERtube TV interview, Stewart detailed the difficulties he faced building the team amid a shortage of crew members and essential parts.
Stewart, 54, developed an interest in the NHRA circuit after meeting Leah Pruett. Their introduction came through drag racing legend Don Prudhomme, who connected them via FaceTime. The couple started dating in 2019 and married in November 2021, after getting engaged earlier that same year.
Leah Pruett had already established herself as a top competitor in the NHRA Series before marrying Stewart. As their relationship grew, he began frequenting drag strips to support her races. The COVID-19 pandemic provided Stewart the opportunity to shift his focus and establish a drag racing team comprising two divisions: Pruett competed in Top Fuel, while Matt Hagan drove in the Funny Car category.
Challenges Tony Stewart Faced in Building the NHRA Team
Reflecting on the obstacles encountered while forming his NHRA team in 2021, Tony Stewart highlighted the significant hurdles posed by limited availability of parts and personnel.
“Neil Strauss Ball had the toughest job of anybody—taking and starting with literally himself and Leah and then having to build an entire team. And not only build an entire team but do it in a time when you couldn’t get parts, you couldn’t get pieces. Just trying to get enough stuff. And thanks to Don Schumacher—Don told me, ‘I’m going to make sure you have everything to at least build one complete car, race-ready, ready to go’. So he made sure we bought enough parts from him to be able to do that.” —Tony Stewart, Former NASCAR Cup Series Champion
“But it was hard. I mean, it was hard to find the parts just to build the backup car. So, for Neal to have to sit there and pick a co-crew chief, and Neil didn’t even start trying to be the crew chief. Neil had every intention to be the co-crew chief on the car, but we couldn’t find a crew chief,” he added. —Tony Stewart, Former NASCAR Cup Series Champion
Despite these limitations, the team progressed and saw competitive success. Leah Pruett later decided to take a temporary break from drag racing to prioritize her family. In her absence, Tony Stewart took over driving duties and earned the Rookie of the Year title during the previous season.
Tony Stewart Compares NHRA Racing to Stock Car Racing
In October 2024, Tony Stewart appeared on the ‘Happy Hour’ podcast hosted by 2014 NASCAR Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick, where he discussed major differences between NHRA drag racing and stock car racing.
The Indiana native emphasized how the formats and pacing of the two racing disciplines differ significantly. Stewart explained that NASCAR races generally last three to four hours with numerous pit stops, while NHRA events are considerably shorter, concluding in a matter of seconds or minutes.
“It’s not like what you and I were used to, where we’ve got a three-and-a-half-hour race,” Stewart said. “We’ve got six or eight pit stops throughout the day, and we have three, four, or five hundred laps to get the job done. If we make a mistake, we’ll fix it,” —Tony Stewart, Former NASCAR Cup Series Champion
He also drew comparisons between the vehicles’ powertrains. Motorcycles in the NHRA are designed specifically for straight-line speed, packing nearly 11,000 horsepower. In contrast, stock cars are engineered for oval tracks with engine power limited to about 650 horsepower.
The Significance of Stewart’s Transition into Drag Racing
Tony Stewart’s move from NASCAR to NHRA highlights his willingness to embrace new motorsport challenges while supporting his wife’s career. Overcoming challenges in assembling a competitive team amid part shortages demonstrates his determination and resourcefulness.
Leah Pruett’s temporary hiatus and Stewart filling her seat to claim Rookie of the Year reflects the strong partnership between the couple and their shared commitment to drag racing. As Stewart continues to adapt to this new arena, his involvement is likely to bring increased attention and competitive drive to NHRA racing.
Looking ahead, Stewart’s NHRA team is expected to build on its early success, potentially attracting further talent and resources despite lingering supply challenges in the sport. His experience in stock car racing combined with new lessons from drag racing could create exciting opportunities for growth in both his and Pruett’s racing careers.
