Leah Pruett will reclaim her place behind the wheel of the Tony Stewart Racing Dodge//SRT Direct Connection Top Fuel dragster for the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season, the team announced on Tuesday.
The 12-time Top Fuel winner is eager to return to the sport after leaving it early to start a baby with her husband, NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart.
“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,” she explained. My interest and enthusiasm for racing Top Fuel were confirmed when I tested in Richmond earlier this year, as anticipated.
“This announcement has been postponed for a while because Tony, Neal [Strausbaugh, crew chief], and the team have been concentrating on finishing Indy and the Countdown [to the Championship].”
“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 achieved her greatest result to date in 2023, placing third in the Top Fuel standings, and has since been heavily involved in Tony Stewart Racing’s activities. She has been enjoying her time in a more managerial and administrative role, even if she has been avoiding being in the drivers’ seat.
“Working with Neal and Mike in a different capacity the past two years has kept me deeply involved, and I’m very pumped to be their driver once more,” Pruett stated. “To my fans and supporters, I look forward to returning to heavy competition as when I left, just now with a little guy in tow everywhere I go.”
During this period, Stewart briefly took her position, and he has performed admirably. After placing eighth in the standings, he was named the 2024 NHRA Rookie of the Year. Stewart won the NHRA Regular Season Championship at the 71st Annual US Nationals and has already won two national events this year.
According to a statement from Stewart, “I’m thrilled to see Leah get back in a race car.” “After a full year of pregnancy and our first year with Dominic, she has grown into a mother and done an incredible job.
“I’m simply thrilled to see her get that chance again because I know deep down that she wants to drive that race car extremely badly. Her efforts to support our family and the entire racing team are much appreciated. First and foremost, I know she wants to drive that car more than anything else, but she hasn’t sat on her hands at all since she has been a very important part of our team’s success and the projects we’re working on.”
Pruett’s return was welcomed by Matt McAlear, CEO of Dodge.
According to Matt McAlear, CEO of Dodge, “Leah driving the Direct Connection Dodge//SRT Top Fuel dragster in 2026 feels like she is coming home.” Since the 2016 season, Leah has been a member of the Dodge and Mopar family, and she has frequently carried the Dodge flag to victory lane.
“We will continue to support Tony Stewart as he competes for the 2025 NHRA Top Fuel championship because we admire the amazing job he is doing replacing Leah in the race car as the couple begins a family with son Dominic.
“But Tony has always said it was Leah’s race car, and we totally support the Stewarts’ decision and look forward to a successful future ahead at the dragstrip for Dodge and Tony Stewart Racing.”
Alongside four-time Funny Car champion Matt Hagan, Pruett will join crew chiefs Neal Strausbaugh and Mike Domagala, continuing their three-win streak in 2022 and 2023. Beginning this season, Hagan is bound by a multi-year contract.
As of this writing, Stewart sits at the top of the Top Fuel standings, awaiting the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, which will take place in Pennsylvania from September 11–14. The championship playoffs, which will include six races, will begin with this.
