Leah Pruett’s career is the kind of story only motorsports can deliver. Equal parts grit, heartbreak, and adrenaline. Having established herself as a standout NHRA Top Fuel competitor, Pruett’s journey is lined with twelve national wins and star billing beside legends like her husband, Tony Stewart. Her reputation? Nothing short of relentless, whether she’s chasing titles down the drag strip or managing life in the fast lane off it.

She brings to every run a remarkable focus, and after stepping away in 2024 for motherhood, she’s once again rewriting what it means to be a competitive female athlete in racing. Beneath the surface of her public victories and family milestones, though, is the pulse of a driver whose defining fuel comes from unfinished business and the deep desire to always return. No matter what the odds or obstacles.

The turning point in Leah Pruett’s career

Leah Pruett’s racing narrative took a defining turn in 2023. “There was always that burning desire, and it specifically came at the moment that I lost the world championship in 2023,” she reflected, articulating the sting of losing the NHRA Top Fuel final round to Doug Kalitta at Pomona.

Sitting third in the standings (the highest finish of her career), Pruett’s disappointment was deeply personal. “I knew I was the only one who knew that I wouldn’t be racing that next year,” she revealed on Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour podcast, referencing her decision to step away and start a family with Tony Stewart. While that’s that, it was not like she completely stepped away from the world of racing.

Pruett stayed close to the action despite her hiatus, managing marketing efforts and technical adjustments with the crew while welcoming son Dominic in November 2024. Her early test at Richmond this year reignited that competitive fire, highlighting that she retains the edge that made her a standout.

The 37-year-old added, “And I also knew that I would be back to go back after it again. I missed the intensity that I feel and how I get geared up and my mindset when I’m racing. It’s addicting. It is. And it’s so much a part of who I am.” That loss in 2023 became fuel for a comeback, not a conclusion.

Her journey also highlights the importance of shared purpose and support. “Why sacrifice something that you absolutely love and what propels us and who we are? Live together, work together, travel together,” she said. For Pruett and Stewart, racing is a way of life. A partnership woven into family, business, and personal identity.

The couple navigates the highs and lows as a team, prepping for Leah’s 2026 return while Tony continues his competitive run in 2025, recently being knocked unconscious after suffering a terrifying crash in the Championship chase. The family now shares these moments with their son, Dominic, underlining that, in motorsports, love for the sport and each other are inseparable.

Leah Pruett’s resilience and commitment ensure her story is far from finished. With family as her anchor and unfinished business igniting her passion, Pruett’s return to racing isn’t just a comeback. Rather, it’s a testament to chasing dreams through every setback and stage of life.

A new chapter for the Stewarts in NHRA Top Fuel

The 2026 NHRA Top Fuel season will bring an unprecedented twist to drag racing’s most recognizable power couple. Tony Stewart, after steering the Tony Stewart Racing Top Fuel dragster for two successful seasons, will now compete directly against his wife, Leah Pruett.

Tony Stewart is making a big move to Elite Motorsports after they scooped up Josh Hart’s Top Fuel operation. At the same time, Leah Pruett is getting back behind the wheel for Tony Stewart Racing after taking more than a year off to welcome their son, Dominic.

Yep, husband and wife, sharing a home, raising a baby, and then lining up as rivals on race day. Sure, they’re still connected through a marketing alliance. But make no mistake, both are showing up with serious equipment and eyes on wins and titles. What makes it even better is the respect between them, with Tony openly appreciating the chance to fill in during Leah’s break.

“I said from the very beginning that I was just keeping Leah’s seat warm and that it was hers as soon as she was ready to come back,” he said. Leah, for her part, hasn’t held back in praising Tony Stewart. Not just for stepping in behind the wheel, but for the way he supported her throughout their family journey. Her return is being celebrated as a true “homecoming” by the Dodge and Mopar faithful, with trusted crew chiefs Neal Strausbaugh and Mike Domagala back by her side.

Their story blends love, respect, and pure adrenaline, showing that family and fierce rivalries can coexist. Together, but proudly facing off on opposite sides of the track, they’re set to deliver some unforgettable moments.