NHRA driver Tony Stewart is set to compete in his 12th race of the 2025 season at Pacific Raceways on Sunday, July 20, yet his wife Leah Pruett and their young son Dominic will be absent from the event. Pruett has chosen to attend a family gathering with Dominic, who is under one year old, placing family commitments ahead of supporting Stewart at the track during this race weekend.
Leah Pruett, a respected racer with 18 NHRA victories, formerly piloted the TSR Direct Connection Dodge//SRT Top Fuel dragster that Stewart now drives. Currently, she is on a break from active racing, dedicating her time to motherhood and other responsibilities away from the drag strip.
Leah’s Absence Breaks a Decade-Long Streak of Support
For nearly ten years, Pruett has been a constant presence at Tony Stewart’s races, standing by as he navigates the Tony Stewart Racing Dragster. This weekend’s race at the 36th annual Muckleshoot Casino Resort NHRA Northwest Nationals marks a rare occasion where she will not be in attendance.
Sharing a moment from her journey on Instagram, Pruett posted a photo of Dominic gazing at the clouds while they traveled southward, captioning the image:
“Bye Bye Washington. Dom and I are headed South for a family event. First race I’ve missed in about a decade (besides when I had Dom during Pomona2). Good luck this wknd @tsrnitro!”
The race will be broadcast on NHRA.tv starting at 11 a.m. PST. Tony Stewart heads into the event as the current points leader with 848 points, closely followed by Shawn Langdon, Justin Ashley, Doug Kalitta, and Anton Brown in the top five positions.
Tony Stewart Reflects on Leah’s Crucial Role at Home and on the Race Team
During his second season driving Leah Pruett’s Top Fuel dragster, Tony Stewart acknowledges the extensive responsibilities his wife manages beyond racing. Balancing motherhood, childcare, and a significant role within the Tony Stewart Racing team demands much from Pruett.
Stewart openly praised Leah’s efforts, explaining the reality behind their team’s operation and family life:
“That’s the reality of it. We have help, but Leah has huge responsibilities, not only as a mom, and a babysitter for me,” Tony Stewart acknowledged. “But now on top of that, she plays a very crucial role with the race team. She doesn’t just sit around.”
“She’s not sitting on her hands all day away from the kid. She’s working in this pit. So she has a full schedule and we have help with Dominic here and it’s gone really, really well,” he added.
Leah Pruett’s Test Run Raises Questions About Her Racing Future
Although currently focused on family duties, Leah Pruett recently completed a test run in her familiar No. 14 TSR Top Fuel dragster at Virginia Motorsports Park shortly after the Virginia NHRA Nationals and prior to the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals on June 29. This activity has sparked speculation about a possible return to active NHRA competition in the near future.
Pruett’s decision to temporarily step back from racing to focus on motherhood highlights the challenges faced by professional drivers balancing family life with competitive commitments. Her continued involvement with Tony Stewart Racing both on and off the track maintains her integral presence within the sport.
