Leah Pruett will make her return to Tony Stewart Racing Top Fuel in 2026, driving the TSR Dodge//SRT Direct Connection Top Fuel Dragster in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. This announcement marks her comeback after taking a pause from racing in 2024 to focus on starting a family with her husband, Tony Stewart, who has served as her replacement driver during her absence.
Family Focus and Continued Commitment to TSR
Pruett and Stewart welcomed their son Dominic in November 2024, which was the primary reason for her hiatus. Although she stepped back from driving, Leah remained actively involved at Tony Stewart Racing, assisting with marketing efforts and supporting the crew chiefs on technical projects. Her ongoing engagement highlights her dedication to the team beyond just her role behind the wheel.
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,
said Leah Pruett.
I tested in Richmond earlier this year, which as expected, validated my eagerness and passion for racing Top Fuel.
Deliberate Announcement and Praise for Tony Stewart’s Role
Pruett revealed that the timing of her return was held back intentionally to focus on the ongoing competitive season, including the prestigious Indy event and the Countdown to the Championship. She expressed deep admiration for Tony Stewart’s efforts as her stand-in:
This announcement has been delayed for some time, as the priority has been getting through Indy, and focusing on the Countdown with Tony, Neal (Strausbaugh – crew chief), and team,
continued Pruett.
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.
Pruett’s History and Performance in NHRA Top Fuel
Leah Pruett’s career in NHRA Top Fuel racing is distinguished by 12 event wins and a long-standing presence since beginning in the Junior Drag Racing League at age eight. In the 2023 season, she achieved her highest career finish, placing third in the Top Fuel championship standings after 14 years competing at this level.
Leah taking the wheel of the Direct Connection Dodge//SRT Top Fuel dragster in 2026 feels like she is coming home,
said Matt McAlear, Dodge CEO.
Leah has been part of the Dodge and Mopar family since the 2016 season and has carried the Dodge banner to victory lane on many occasions. 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.
Tony Stewart’s Impact as Stand-In Driver
Over the last two seasons while filling Leah’s seat, Tony Stewart has propelled the Tony Stewart Racing Top Fuel program to new heights. He secured two victories in 2025 at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Las Vegas and the NHRA Route 66 Nationals in Joliet, Illinois. Additionally, Stewart clinched the 2025 NHRA Regular Season Championship at the NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis and currently leads the Top Fuel points going into the Countdown to the Championship at Maple Grove Raceway.
Stewart’s rookie season in 2024 culminated with a ninth-place finish in the Top Fuel standings and earned him the NHRA Rookie of the Year title.
I’m excited to see Leah get back in a race car,
Stewart said.
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. 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.
Continuing Crew Leadership and Team Dynamics
Neal Strausbaugh and Mike Domagala will remain as crew chiefs for Leah Pruett and the TSR Top Fuel team in 2026. The duo has guided the team to three wins since the program’s inception in 2022. Pruett earned TSR’s first Top Fuel win at Denver in 2022, then added two victories and four runner-up finishes during the 2023 season, compiling a 32-19 win-loss record.
Working with Neal and Mike in a different capacity the past two years has kept me deeply involved, and I’m very pumped to be their driver once more,
said Pruett.
To my fans and supporters, I look forward to returning to heavy competition as when I left, just now with a little guy in tow everywhere I go.
TSR’s Two-Car Setup and Matt Hagan’s Role
Leah will rejoin the two-car Tony Stewart Racing operation alongside Funny Car driver Matt Hagan. Hagan, a four-time Funny Car Champion, clinched TSR’s first championship in 2023 and recently signed a multi-year contract extension with the team. This solidifies TSR’s strong presence in both Top Fuel and Funny Car categories moving forward.
Upcoming NHRA Event and Championship Outlook
The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series continues with the upcoming 40th Annual NHRA Nationals presented by Nitro Fish, scheduled for September 11-14 at Maple Grove Raceway in Mohnton, Pennsylvania. This event will kick off the six-race Countdown to the Championship, where the top ten drivers across Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle will compete for their division titles.
