In a surprising turn of events, racing legend Tony Stewart’s wife, Leah Pruett, has made a bold move that has left the NHRA garage in awe. This comes days after Stewart’s ominous forewarning that he might not be long for the racing world. Ever versatile, Stewart has distinguished himself in his post-retirement career, not only by keeping their shared racing legacy alive but also by supporting Leah’s transition into motherhood. Now, however, it seems the couple may be at a crossroads, balancing family, career, and their shared passion for racing.
After retiring from active racing, Stewart took over his wife’s NHRA Top Fuel ride, a testament to his enduring love for the sport. However, this wasn’t without struggle. He candidly spoke about the difficulty of juggling his racing instincts with supporting Leah’s new life chapter. His recent chilling comment, “I might not be here long,” hinted at the temporary nature of his NHRA stint and the emotional toll it was taking. This wasn’t just about racing; it was also about creating space for Leah to reclaim her shine on the track.
The racing power couple has been making waves in the NHRA scene, successfully combining family life with the thrill of racing. Recently, Stewart partnered with Matt Hagan to unveil new, striking Dodge//SRT machines at the 2025 NHRA Gator Nationals. The red-and-blue designs were a bold statement to kick off the season. Stewart spoke highly of his racing partners, Dodge/SRT, Mopar, and Direct Connection, citing them as excellent assets to their TSR team and to the sport of drag racing.
Leah Pruett, however, added a twist to the narrative when she identified herself as a “Dodge mom” after stepping away from racing to start a family with Stewart. This raised speculations about a possible shift in her career trajectory.
Pruett, known for her racing prowess, had stepped away from the driver’s seat last year to focus on family. The decision was a significant sacrifice, given how deeply intertwined racing is with her identity. However, she embraced motherhood wholeheartedly, trading the roar of the dragstrip for quieter, tender moments with her son Dominic. Yet, her passion for racing remained undimmed, hinting at a potential comeback.
Indeed, Pruett’s recent Instagram post pointed to her imminent return to racing. Amidst the chaos of racing, she still found joy in their son’s milestones, such as his first St. Patrick’s Day and his first steps. However, the call of the race track was impossible to ignore. The Instagram post showed Pruett warming up for the Arizona Nationals, indicating that her return to the track was only a matter of time.
Stewart had foreshadowed this moment, stating that the race car was Pruett’s and that he would gladly step aside when she was ready to return. When he hinted at an early exit from NHRA, it wasn’t a sign of defeat; rather, it was a symbolic passing of the torch back to Pruett. Her reappearance in the garage, ready to reclaim her seat, was a powerful statement to Stewart, their fans, and perhaps even to herself that she was not done with racing.
Pruett admitted that she had faced a “biggest roadblock” not because she couldn’t race, but because stepping away had left a void. Her return to the NHRA spotlight wasn’t merely a career move; it was her reclaiming a part of her identity that had been on hold. Pruett wasn’t choosing racing over family or vice versa; instead, she was weaving them together.
Meanwhile, Stewart and Hagan are gearing up for a win at the NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird Motorsports Park. Stewart, currently seventh in the standings and 69 points behind Antron Brown, is chasing his first win. Hagan, on the other hand, is fourth in the standings, only 39 points off Chad Green, and has a track record of 3.823-second run from 2022. Both racers are excited about the upcoming Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge and are ready to make Pruett proud. As the desert prepares to rumble, fans are eager to see this racing duo bring the thunder.