At the Stewart household, big changes are happening as the couple prepares for a new addition to the family. Tony Stewart has temporarily stepped away from his NASCAR duties to support his wife, Leah Pruett, in her NHRA career, filling in for her while she is on maternity leave. Leah, who has been a drag racer since 2013, has plans to return to racing as soon as she can. Thanks to Tony’s willingness to step into her shoes, she will have the option to get back behind the wheel once their baby is old enough for her to focus on racing again.
However, Tony Stewart’s transition from NASCAR to the NHRA hasn’t been as smooth as one might expect for such a well-established name in motorsports. Despite his success as the co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing and his numerous accolades in NASCAR, his NHRA career has not been going as planned. Stewart has hit a rough patch, experiencing a 16-race losing streak. He has not managed to secure a single win since stepping in for Pruett. On the other hand, Leah Pruett has enjoyed a consistent and successful career in NHRA drag racing, with 12 NHRA Top Fuel national event wins to her name.
Tony Stewart is known for his versatility in motorsports, excelling in various racing disciplines. He has made a name for himself not only in NASCAR but also in the IndyCar scene, proving himself to be a driver of remarkable skill across different racing formats. While he may be well-versed in drag racing, his recent performances suggest otherwise. Even though he is only filling in for his wife, there is pressure on him to maintain the team’s performance while Pruett is on her maternity break.
A recent post on X detailed Tony Stewart’s latest race, where his team, Mahindra USA, posted a 4.299 ET at 220.48 mph in Round 1, only to lose to Doug Kalitta’s much faster 3.894 ET at 306.67 mph. Although this defeat might be disheartening, it is important to acknowledge that Stewart was up against one of the top drivers in the sport. Kalitta, a veteran of drag racing, has a remarkable 52 NHRA Top Fuel wins under his belt, so losing to someone of his caliber is no easy pill to swallow, but also not entirely unexpected.
Despite the frustration of losing, Tony Stewart remains determined. The differences between NASCAR and drag racing are vast. Drag racing is not only a shorter format but also demands a different approach to vehicle speed and control. The cars are faster, but for much shorter durations, making the transition for Stewart particularly challenging.
Meanwhile, Leah Pruett is eager to return to the NHRA once she is ready. According to Tony Stewart, she has expressed her desire to race against him once she is back, a sentiment she shared during an appearance on *The Pat McAfee Show*. When she returns, Pruett aims to continue competing and winning in the Top Fuel series. However, rather than simply reclaiming her seat, she once floated the idea of running two cars, allowing her and Tony to compete head-to-head on the track. Stewart, while amused by the thought, was quick to analyze the situation, joking that racing against his wife could be a bad idea. “It’s a terrible idea on paper,” he said, explaining that it wouldn’t make sense for him. “If you beat your wife, you get stuck on the couch for eternity.”
Given their current NHRA records, it’s possible that Tony Stewart might end up losing to his wife if they ever did race against each other. Reflecting on that scenario, Stewart humorously noted the emotional blow he would suffer. “I’ll have to look at myself in the mirror twice a day and go, ‘I got my a– kicked by my wife,’” he said, acknowledging that losing to Pruett would not only be difficult on a personal level but also socially, as his friends would certainly give him a hard time for being outpaced by his wife on the track.
For now, these are just playful discussions, as Leah Pruett isn’t yet ready to return to racing. However, the possibility of the couple going head-to-head in the NHRA certainly sparks curiosity. Would it be an exciting matchup to watch? The idea of the Stewarts racing against each other is an intriguing one for fans of motorsports, especially given their dynamic personalities and the fun rivalry that could develop between them on the drag strip. What do you think about the idea of Tony Stewart and Leah Pruett racing each other in the NHRA? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Tony Stewart’s 16-Race Drought Continues With Frustrating Defeat to NHRA Legend.
