Tony Stewart Reflects on Parenthood and His NHRA Career, with Support from Wife Leah Pruett

Tony Stewart Reflects on Parenthood and His NHRA Career, with Support from Wife Leah Pruett

Tony Stewart, the legendary three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, recently opened up about the exciting new chapter in his life as he prepares to become a father. Alongside his wife, Leah Pruett, an NHRA Top Fuel driver and the only female title holder in the short class, Stewart is about to embark on parenthood. The couple, who are expecting their first child in the coming weeks, shared their journey with Fox Sports’ Bob Pockrass during a recent interview.

Stewart, known for his unrelenting competitive spirit on the racetrack, admitted that he’s attempting to avoid one key aspect of fatherhood—changing diapers. However, Leah’s strong will has made it clear that he will not be able to escape this responsibility.

“I’m trying to find every and any way I can to get out of having to change diapers,” Stewart joked. “But my wife is a very strong-willed woman, and she has assured me that I am not, under any circumstances, getting out of these responsibilities.”

While Stewart’s NASCAR career is behind him, he has continued to find success in the world of drag racing. After transitioning to the NHRA, Stewart replaced his wife for the 2024 season while Leah took a break from racing to focus on their growing family. Although Stewart is still relatively new to drag racing, his impressive record in the sport includes two wins in the Top Alcohol Dragster class and a recent NHRA drag racing championship. However, the transition to Top Fuel has been more challenging.

In 2024, Stewart has faced difficulties in the Top Fuel category, with his best finish being a runner-up position at Sonoma. “The car is going down the race track, and your brain’s behind it going, ‘Wait a minute, what’s going on? And how do I get caught up?’” Stewart explained. “But like anything else — if you want to lift weights, you’ve got to work up to it. Your brain has the ability to do exactly the same thing. It is caught up now in the car.”

Much of Stewart’s development as a drag racer can be credited to Leah, who has been an invaluable mentor. “Luckily, I’ve got a great wife that’s a great teacher, and I got up to speed fairly quickly on what I need to do as a driver to drive the car,” Stewart shared, expressing his gratitude for her guidance.

As for his future in NHRA, Stewart has yet to announce his plans for 2025, but Leah hinted that fans can expect to see him continue racing in the Top Fuel category next year. With Leah’s support both on and off the track, Stewart’s evolution in drag racing seems poised for continued success, even as they prepare to welcome their first child into the world.