What Tony Stewart’s Wife JUST DECIDED After Internal Issues Changes EVERYTHING: Leah Pruett’s Comeback Teases NHRA Glory
The NHRA drag racing world buzzed with anticipation on October 8, 2025, as Leah Pruett, the powerhouse racer and wife of NASCAR legend Tony Stewart, hinted at a stunning return to the strip after a year-long hiatus, her cryptic “Dodge mom” declaration at Gainesville Raceway igniting speculation of a 2026 comeback that could redefine her legacy and reshape Tony Stewart Racing’s Top Fuel dynasty. Pruett, who stepped away from the cockpit in late 2024 after a career-best third-place NHRA standings finish to focus on motherhood following the birth of son Dominic James Stewart on November 17, 2024—hours before the season finale—has kept her racing pulse alive behind the scenes, fine-tuning strategies and battling Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune condition complicating her health. Her husband’s supportive vow to “step out instantly” when she’s ready, paired with a multi-year Dodge-Stellantis extension, sets the stage for a seismic shift, with X trending #LeahReturns (1.3 million mentions) and 68% of fans per DragRacingDaily polls backing her potential resurgence, promising a clash of titans as Pruett eyes reclaiming her throne from rivals like Brittany Force and Antron Brown.
Pruett’s 2024 dominance—third in NHRA standings with a 3.763-second elapsed time at Brainerd—cemented her as a trailblazer, her Top Fuel Dodge//SRT powered by 11,000 horsepower and a 500-cubic-inch supercharged engine. But Dominic’s cinematic arrival shifted gears; she traded firesuits for diapers while Stewart, a rookie in NHRA, stunned with a ninth-place finish and Rookie of the Year honors, reaching two finals and four semifinals in 2024. “Leah’s the heart of this program—I’m just holding the wheel,” Stewart quipped at Gainesville, his debut season buoyed by a $10 million Dodge deal ensuring stability. Pruett’s behind-the-scenes role—crew strategies, setup tweaks—kept her in the game, her glucose monitor a testament to managing Hashimoto’s, which hampers hormone production and fueled her 2024 break. “Health and family drove this pause, but racing’s my blood,” she told NHRA.com, balancing pit work with parenthood.
Her Gainesville presser dropped the bombshell: “I’m a Dodge mom,” a smile masking intent that sent fans wild. “It’s not a break—it’s a recharge,” Pruett clarified, hinting at 2026 talks with Stewart: “My heart says I’ll race again, but Dominic and health come first.” Stewart’s pledge— “That car’s hers; I’ll exit mid-season if she calls”—echoes since 2012, when they launched TSR, her synergy with crew chief Matt Hines the backbone. “She’s mom, babysitter, and pit boss—unstoppable,” Stewart beamed, their Florida home base humming with Dominic’s nanny support.
Hashimoto’s, diagnosed pre-2024, sapped energy—races saw her with monitors “dialing in performance”—but rehab and diet tweaks under endocrinologist Dr. Rachelle Herman have steadied her. “Family planning with this condition was a gamble; Dominic’s a miracle,” she shared, her thyroid battle mirroring Stewart’s 2019 back surgery recovery. Fans on X raved (#LeahReturns, 1.3M mentions): @NHRAFanatic: “Dodge mom? She’s back—2026’s hers!” @StewartNation: “Tony’s exit for Leah? True love and racing royalty.”
Pruett’s return timeline—2026 or later—hinges on health and Dominic’s needs, but her pit presence signals readiness. TSR’s Dodge extension, plus Stewart’s ninth-place 2024 (two wins), primes the team for her reignition. Rivals Force (2022 champ) and Brown (30-time winner) brace for her 3.7-second fury, while NHRA’s $5 million purse per event looms large. “She’ll dominate—motherhood made her tougher,” Brown told Drag Illustrated. As Gainesville’s echoes fade, Pruett’s silence isn’t retreat—it’s reload. Will 2026 see her reclaim the stripe? The garage roars yes, and her firesuit’s ready.
