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By Alex Harrington
Sports Contributing Writer
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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.
Leaving the sport ahead of when she and her husband, NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart, started a family, the 12-time Top Fuel winner looks forward to her return.
"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 said. "I tested in Richmond earlier this year, which, as expected, validated my eagerness and passion for racing Top Fuel.
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"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.
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"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."
In 2023, she finished third in the Top Fuel standings, her best result to date, and has since been actively involved in Tony Stewart Racing's operations. While she's been sitting out from being in the drivers' seat, she's been enjoying her time in a more administrative and management position.
"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," said Pruett. "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."
Stewart replaced her temporarily during this time, and his performance has been remarkable. He has earned the 2024 NHRA Rookie of the Year title after finishing ninth in the standings. So far this year, Stewart earned two national event wins and won the NHRA Regular Season Championship at the 71st Annual US Nationals.
"I'm excited to see Leah get back in a race car," Stewart said in a statement. "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."
Dodge CEO Matt McAlear welcomed Pruett's return.
"Leah taking the wheel of the Direct Connection Dodge//SRT Top Fuel dragster in 2026 feels like she is coming home," Matt McAlear, Dodge CEO, said. "Leah has been part of the Dodge and Mopar family since the 2016 season and has carried the Dodge banner to victory lane on many occasions.
"We appreciate the incredible job that team owner and motorsports legend Tony Stewart is doing filling in for Leah in the race car as the couple starts their family with son Dominic, and we will continue to root for Tony as he fights for the 2025 NHRA Top Fuel championship.
"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."
Joining crew chiefs Neal Strausbaugh and Mike Domagala, Pruett will continue their history of three wins between 2022 and 2023, joining the two-car TSR outfit beside four-time Funny Car champion Matt Hagan. Hagan sits on a multi-year deal starting this season.
At the time of writing, Stewart leads the standings in Top Fuel as they wait for the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series to come September 11-14 in Pennsylvania. This will open the championship playoffs, consisting of six races.
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