Tony Stewart’s Big Change: From NASCAR Legend to NHRA Top Fuel Racer and Fatherhood

Tony Stewart’s Big Change: From NASCAR Legend to NHRA Top Fuel Racer and Fatherhood

As a motorsports journalist with over two decades of experience, I’ve fielded many calls from drivers, team owners, and industry insiders. But a call I received earlier this year was one for the books.

It was June, and I was driving down the interstate with my wife when my phone rang. I answered, expecting a routine conversation. Instead, I heard a familiar voice—Tony Stewart, the three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and NASCAR Hall of Famer. But it wasn’t the usual racing talk or media request I’m used to. Instead, Tony asked me something that no journalist could ever predict:

“Hey, Jerry, do you have a spare bedroom I can crash in for a while?”

At that moment, I couldn’t help but laugh. It wasn’t every day that one of the biggest names in motorsports casually asked to stay at my house. But this was Tony Stewart—a man I’ve known for over 20 years. Our friendship goes back to my early days covering NASCAR, and over the years, Tony and I have developed a candid and open relationship.

The unusual request came on the heels of a story I’d written about Tony and his wife, Leah Pruett, for *Autoweek*. The piece centered

around Tony’s candid admission about the prospect of becoming a father—a topic he had not openly discussed before. In the interview, Tony revealed that he was “freaked out” about the idea of having children. He joked that he could barely take care of himself, let alone a baby. But despite his nervousness, he also expressed excitement about the possibility of fatherhood, albeit with some reservations about timing.

The story caused a stir at home. Leah, a top-tier NHRA Top Fuel driver herself, didn’t take too kindly to Tony’s comments, especially when they were made public. Tony explained that Leah, while supportive of the idea of starting a family, was a fierce competitor who didn’t want to step away from the track at the peak of her career. It seemed my story had unintentionally pushed the conversation forward between them, and now the timing was right for them to take the next step toward parenthood.

Fast forward to 2024, and Tony and Leah have made a big decision: Leah will take a break from racing to focus on starting a family, and Tony will step up to the Top Fuel ranks in NHRA. After years of dominating NASCAR, Stewart is taking on a new challenge, something he’s always wanted to do. The announcement made waves in the motorsports world, especially with legendary drag racer John Force winding down his career. At 52, Tony Stewart is ready to embrace the next chapter, and many believe he could soon become the face of NHRA drag racing.

As Leah prepares for this new phase of her life, Tony has been nothing but supportive, stepping back from his role as a car owner to prioritize his wife’s needs. While they’ve discussed who might drive Leah’s car during her break, Tony remains focused on being a supportive husband, putting family first.

The Stewarts’ transition into parenthood is a reminder that even the most successful athletes are, at their core, regular people navigating life’s milestones. As for me, I’ll always have a spare bedroom ready—just in case.