Tony Stewart, known for his intense focus on the track and legendary NASCAR career, has now embraced a different kind of challenge: fatherhood. For Tony and his wife, Leah Pruett, the journey to welcoming their son, Dominic, was anything but typical. With Leah chasing an NHRA championship and Tony making his debut in NHRA, their schedules were a whirlwind of logistics and high-stakes competition.
Now, with Dominic in their lives, the Stewarts are adjusting to a new rhythm, complete with all its messy realities. Fatherhood has brought out a softer side of Tony, as Leah revealed during an interview with Mighty Mack. She joked about his initial reluctance to handle diaper duty, citing his claim that his own father never changed diapers. Leah, however, made it clear that this mindset wouldn’t last. “That too is going to change, especially by the time we next speak,” she said with a playful but firm tone.
Despite his hesitations, Tony has embraced his role as a father with surprising enthusiasm. Leah shared how his presence and engagement exceeded her expectations. “He wants to be with the baby all the time. Doesn’t like it when he cries—he gives it back,” she laughed. Balancing fatherhood with their demanding racing careers, Leah described Dominic as a source of pure joy amidst the chaos of their busy lives.
Dominic’s birth was as dramatic as the couple’s racing careers. Tony was preparing for a qualifying run at the NHRA finals in Pomona when he received the call that Leah was heading to the hospital. Torn between racing and rushing to her side, Leah reassured him to complete his run. After qualifying, Tony hurried to the hospital and arrived just in time for Dominic’s arrival at 4:43 a.m. Even in those moments, Leah’s focus impressed Tony, as she asked about his schedule for returning to the track.
The whirlwind continued as Tony scrambled to notify family and friends before news of Dominic’s birth spread publicly. Running on less than two hours of sleep, he returned to the track the same day, advancing to the semi-finals and finishing seventh in the championship.
Reflecting on the experience, Tony expressed immense pride in Leah’s strength during Dominic’s birth. “She’s much stronger than I’ll ever be,” he said. For the Stewarts, Dominic represents not just a new chapter but also a reminder that amidst the high-speed demands of racing, there’s a deeper, more fulfilling side to life.
