Leah Pruett and Tony Stewart are starting a family
Leah Pruett has spent the last 27 years racing in NHRA. For 2024, she’ll be stepping out of her Tony Stewart Racing Nitro ride.
Hear from Leah Pruett and Tony Stewart below.
Tony Stewart will step into the seat. Meanwhile, the husband and wife will start a family.
Last season, Stewart run full-time in a Top Alcohol Dragster for McPhillips Racing. This will be his first season in a Top Fuel car.
Stewart is a three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion. In recent years, he’s been pursuing the NHRA side of the racing ladder.
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Leah Pruett comments
“Drag racing has been an important part of my life for over three quarters of my life,” Pruett said in a team release.
“27 years of racing in the NHRA has molded who I am and I am extremely grateful for the life it has given me. Through a long series of thought processes and a decision that did not happen overnight, I feel that stepping out of the seat right now is what’s best for myself and Tony to start a family.”
“This has been one of the most difficult decisions to make because of what we have collectively created at TSR; a highly-successful program and enjoyable operation,” Pruett said.
“I had the best finish of my entire career. To step away from that can be a challenging move, but I had already made up my mind long before we were deep in the championship hunt.”
“I’m excited about how competitive this team is, developed through the leadership of Neal Strausbaugh and Mike Domagala, and to be able to have Tony compete in a very safe, vetted, and well-performing car with an established team makes my heart happy.”
“Our final-round appearance at the World Finals brought me the closest I’ve ever been to fulfilling a life-long dream of winning a Top Fuel world championship. We were so close that we could taste it, but it wasn’t our time.”
Plans to return
“Ultimately, it will be up to the Lord if we are blessed with what so many share as their greatest joy in life, a family of their own. While Tony and I prefer to keep our personal lives private, we’re honored to share in this announcement with our partners, team members, and fans. There are no guarantees or promises on when I will be back in the seat, but I have every intention of returning as soon as I can.”
“Everything in my heart says that I will return to driving Top Fuel as soon as I feel ready, especially after being so close to winning it all this year. For now, I am thrilled that Tony is getting a well-performing, safe car with an excellent caliber of people, both personally and professionally.”
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Tony Stewart comments
“When your wife wants to try to start a family & wants you to drive her car, what are you going to say? I’m proud of Leah Pruett & excited we’re going to focus on starting a family in 2024. I’m humbled Leah & Neal Strausbaugh felt I was the driver to fill in for her,” Stewart stated via social media.
“I am very proud of my wife,” Stewart added via a team release.
“To make a decision like this has got to be extremely hard. I don’t think from a male’s perspective that we can fully grasp it. To be a competitive, professional race car driver and have to make the decision to take yourself out of the seat to start a family is not a position most males would want to be put in.”
“We had discussed starting a family and this was her decision. In those discussions, we came to the conclusion that the timing was up to her. I was very supportive as to whether she wanted to do it now or years from now. I’m very humbled that Leah and Neal felt I was the driver to fill in for her. I feel honored that I can do that for my wife and this team.”
Stewart added, “I enjoyed my time in the Top Alcohol Dragster class.”
“I absolutely loved racing with the McPhillips Racing family and as far as I’m concerned, they’re a part of my family now. It’s hard to leave those guys, but to have an opportunity like this, where you have your wife, who’s also the driver, and the crew chief feel you’re capable to come in and do the job is very flattering.”
He concluded, “I’m very honored to be able to fill in for her until she’s ready to come back.”
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Tony Stewart Nitro Team Statement
“After completing 27 consecutive years in NHRA competition, Leah Pruett is stepping aside from racing in 2024 to focus on starting a family with husband Tony Stewart. Tony will move into the Top Fuel seat on behalf of Pruett at TSRnitro.”
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Links
Leah Pruett | Tony Stewart | Tony Stewart Racing Nitro | NHRA
