Tony Stewart to Compete Against Wife Leah Pruett During 2026 NHRA Drag Racing Season

Racing legend Tony Stewart announced Thursday he plans on getting behind the wheel for the 2026 NHRA Drag Racing Series season, which will put him in direct competition with his wife, Leah Pruett.

Pruett took a break from racing in 2024 as she prepared for the birth of her and Stewart's son, Dominic. Tony Stewart Racing confirmed she'll resume her usual duties next year.

Stewart, who occupied her seat this season and last, will shift over to Elite Motorsports after it acquired the Top Fuel program belonging to driver Josh Hart.

"I said from the very beginning that I was just keeping Leah's seat warm and that it was hers as soon as she was ready to come back," the NASCAR Hall of Famer said. "Well, she's coming back in 2026, and that Direct Connection Dodge//SRT Top Fuel dragster is going to have her name on it, not mine.

"And as much as I wanted to continue driving, TSR is not in a position to add a second Top Fuel car. But with Richard buying Josh Hart's team and our recent alliance, I can still work as an owner and a driver to help both our organizations grow."

Stewart has a decorated motorsports career across multiple circuits.

The 54-year-old was the IndyCar Series champion in 1997 before moving full time to NASCAR, where he was a series champion in 2002, 2005 and 2011.

Success has followed in NHRA, where he was the 2024 Rookie of the Year and claimed the 2025 regular-season title. He trails Doug Kalitta by 18 points in the Top Fuel championship standings.

With Stewart and Pruett set to oppose one another in 2026, the battle for bragging rights will be fierce.