The time has come for Leah Pruett to make her return to drag racing after previously stepping aside to start a family with husband Tony Stewart. She will be back in action for the 2026 season.
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Pruett and Tony Stewart Racing announced the news on Tuesday with a press release. The veteran racer confirmed that she will be back in the Top Fuel competition while driving a Dodge for TSR. She will continue to be teammates with Funny Car driver Matt Hagan.
.@LeahPruett_TF is returning to @NHRA Top Fuel competition in 2026 with #TSRnitro. After stepping aside the past two seasons to start a family with @TonyStewart, Pruett will once again pilot the #Dodge Direct Connection dragster. #NHRA | @Dodge pic.twitter.com/Lp7HcRXbW5
— Tony Stewart Racing Nitro (@TSRnitro) September 9, 2025
"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," Pruett said in a press release. "I tested in Richmond earlier this year, which, as expected, validated my eagerness and passion for racing Top Fuel."
"This announcement has been delayed for some time, as the priority has been getting through Indy and focusing on the Countdown (to the Championship) with Tony, Neal (Strausbaugh, crew chief), and team.
"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, who has won more than a dozen races, announced that she would miss the 2024 season so she and Stewart could start a family. Stewart would serve as the replacement driver in the team's Top Fuel entry.
They announced in June 2024 that they were expecting their first child together. They then welcomed Dominic in November 2024.
Pruett remained out of the driver's seat this season, but she remained heavily involved in the day-to-day operations. Meanwhile, Stewart continued to showcase his progression as a drag racer.
The NASCAR Hall of Famer earned Rookie of the Year honors at the end of the 2024 NHRA season. This year, he won the Top Fuel regular-season title and secured the top seed heading into the Countdown for the Championship.
"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."
