Tony Stewart Is Giving His NHRA Top Fuel Car Back To His Wife Leah Pruett In 2026

Tony Stewart is having an epic second season as an NHRA Top Fuel drag racer, with two wins and the regular season championship already in the bank, but it may be his last.

Stewart has been filling it for his wife, Leah Pruett, who took a break from racing to have a child, Dominic, but now she’s ready to get back behind the wheel. The couple confirmed on Tuesday that she will be taking over the car again starting next season.

“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 told NHRA.com. “I tested in Richmond earlier this year, which, as expected, validated my eagerness and passion for racing Top Fuel.”

“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,” she said.

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“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.”

Stewart said he wasn’t yet sure what he’ll be doing next year, but that he knows he will “get the itch and want to be behind the wheel of someting” after being a spectator for a little while.

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“I don’t have set plans yet we’re working on it,” Stewart told Fox Sports. “I’ve been in conversations with a lot of different people over the course of the last month or so and there’s definitely some things in the works, just nothing that’s 100% solidified yet.”