Tony Stewart Racing is making a major change for the 2027 NHRA season and beyond as Stewart and wife Leah Pruett focus more on family.
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For the second time in recent seasons, Pruett will step out of the TSR Top Fuel Dragster so that she and Stewart can potentially grow their family. This time, however, this will be more of a permanent move as Pruett steps away from full-time competition.
However, she has clarified that this is not a retirement. She will continue to be involved in the team, and she will potentially return to the seat in the future. It's just goodbye for now.
"I made the decision to step out of the seat to put some more focus on our family," Pruett said in a press release. "Hopefully that means growing our family, but it also gives me the opportunity to be more present with (son) Dom during such an important stage of his life. I feel incredibly fortunate that I'm in a position where I can make that choice, and I'm genuinely excited about what this next chapter looks like for us.
"At the same time, this season has been one of the most fulfilling of my career. I've had so much enjoyment racing with my team, and personally, the pursuit of continuing to push myself to try to match the level at which this team performs has been incredibly challenging and rewarding. I'm proud of the progress we've made together, and I'm proud of where this program is headed."
TONY SCHUMACHER SIGNS MULTI-YEAR DEAL WITH TONY STEWART RACING
READ MORE: https://t.co/uD6mRMWVgI pic.twitter.com/ywYiTemqYS— Tony Stewart Racing Nitro (@TSRnitro) September 18, 2026
To fill the hole left by Pruett, a 13-time winner in Top Fuel, TSR has turned to the winningest driver in the racing class's history. Tony Schumacher will join TSR after signing a multi-year agreement, and he will work alongside four-time Funny Car world champion and 2026 regular season champion Matt Hagan.
Schumacher is an 88-time winner in NHRA. He has celebrated eight championships in the Top Fuel division. He currently drives for Rick Ware Racing, but he will move to TSR once the 2026 season ends.
"That makes me even more excited about who we're putting in the seat. Tony Schumacher is one of the most decorated racers our sport has ever seen," Pruett continued. "There's been so much momentum building within this team, and I have every confidence that Tony can take what we've built and continue pushing it forward.
"When you look at the team, the partners and now the driver, the puzzle pieces have really come together to create something that I believe will compete for championships for a long time."
The first time that Pruett stepped away from NHRA came in 2024. She stepped out of the Top Fuel entry and missed the entire season so that she and Stewart could start a family. Stewart served as the replacement driver that season.
The couple announced in June 2024 that they were expecting their first child together. They then welcomed Dominic in November 2024.
