Leah Pruett steps away from NHRA to focus on family with Tony Stewart
3 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 18, 2026, 3:17 PM
Last updated Sep 18, 2026
Leah Pruett will leave the NHRA at the end of the season to concentrate on having a second child with husband Tony Stewart. Pruett is currently competing for her first Top Fuel championship, ranking third as the playoffs begin. She will not officially retire but intends to manage her race team and family during her hiatus. Pruett's seat will be filled by eight-time champion Tony Schumacher next season, marking a full-circle moment for the driver who she has known since childhood.
- •Pruett is in contention for her first NHRA Top Fuel championship.
- •She plans to focus on family after the current season ends.
- •Tony Schumacher will replace Pruett next season.
- •Pruett intends to support her team during her absence.
- •Stewart has expressed enthusiasm for Pruett's championship chase.
- 4:06 PMESPN — From driver's seat to car seat: NHRA's Pruett to step away, grow family
- 2:00 PMYahoo Sports — Leah Pruett is stepping away from NHRA to focus on having a second child with Tony Stewart
"Leah Pruett, in contention for her first NHRA Top Fuel championship, will step away from the drag-racing series at the end of this season to focus on having a second child with husband Tony Stewart. Pruett was a spectator in 2024 and 2025 while they started a family. Tony Stewart, a three-time NASCAR champion and one-time IndyCar champion, filled in for her both seasons.
"Leah Pruett, in contention for her first NHRA Top Fuel title, will step away from the series at the end of this season to focus on having a second child with husband Tony Stewart. Pruett is currently third in the standings, one spot ahead of Stewart.
Sources
External links- ESPNSep 18, 2026, 4:06 PMFrom driver's seat to car seat: NHRA's Pruett to step away, grow family
Leah Pruett, in contention for her first NHRA Top Fuel title, will step away from the series at the end of this season to focus on having a second child with husband Tony Stewart. Pruett is currently third in the standings, one spot ahead of Stewart.
- Yahoo SportsSep 18, 2026, 2:00 PMLeah Pruett is stepping away from NHRA to focus on having a second child with Tony Stewart
Leah Pruett, in contention for her first NHRA Top Fuel championship, will step away from the drag-racing series at the end of this season to focus on having a second child with husband Tony Stewart. Pruett was a spectator in 2024 and 2025 while they started a family. Tony Stewart, a three-time NASCAR champion and one-time IndyCar champion, filled in for her both seasons.
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