The Stewart-Pruett household is one of the most closely watched families in motorsports. Tony Stewart, a three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, and Leah Pruett, a seasoned NHRA drag racer, welcomed their first child, Dominic, last year. Their son’s birth was so intertwined with racing that Stewart famously left the hospital to compete at Pomona just hours after Dominic arrived. With both parents deeply embedded in racing culture, it was inevitable for racing to be on the cards. That speculation about Dominic’s eventual path has followed them since day one. The real question, however, is how the family plans to handle the inevitable reality.
That curiosity has only grown as Leah Pruett prepares for her NHRA comeback in 2026. Fans and fellow drivers have wondered what the couple’s next big balancing act will look like. With Pruett returning to competition, Stewart managing his racing operations and competing with her, and a son growing up in garages and pit lanes, the answer was never going to be simple. And Kevin Harvick also noted in a recent episode of Happy Hour that racing families rarely escape the cycle of passing the sport down. That is precisely where Stewart and Pruett’s perspective becomes significant, as, unlike other families, they have already made their decision.
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Tony Stewart and family have a new racing playbook
When asked about Dominic’s racing future, Stewart cut directly to the heart of their stance. “We’re not buying anything until he looks us in the eye and says this is what I want to do and I’m all in,” he said during Harvick’s podcast. Rather than mapping out a career before their son’s toddler years, the couple has drawn a line. Dominic must show genuine desire and commitment before any racing investment is made. That decision sets them apart from other racing families. For many others, go-karts, quarter midgets, or junior dragsters often appear as soon as a child can walk. The deliberate wait-and-see approach reflects a conscious parenting philosophy that places choice above legacy.
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Pruett echoed the sentiment but expanded on the value system behind it. “You need to teach them dedication and not giving up… I don’t think we care which aisle, which lane, which racetrack… if he decides to race,” she explained. Her emphasis on persistence shows that the couple views racing as more than a career. It is a test of resilience and personal drive. By refusing to pre-determine racing steps, they are acknowledging both the weight of motorsport tradition and the importance of independence in choosing a life path. What stood out most in the conversation was their awareness that racing pressure will not wait quietly.
Friends, fans, and even social media amplified that pressure from the moment Pruett’s pregnancy became public. Stewart recalled various questions. “Are you buying junior dragsters? Are you buying quarter midgets? What are you buying?” Such immediate assumptions highlight the cultural expectation. Stewart admitted that watching young kids compete at Millbridge Speedway only cemented his sense of what the future may hold. He joked, “I just saw our future… I don’t know whether to laugh or cry about it.”
Yet by openly stating their stance now, the couple has attempted to get ahead of that narrative. They’ve made it clear that Dominic’s involvement in NASCAR will not be written until he writes it himself.
After all, Dominic is not even a year old yet. Pruett is busy with her eyes on a 2026 return, while Stewart juggles ownership and driving duties. Their approach suggests that when the day comes, the decision will not be about meeting the standard of their son’s conviction. But in the meantime, their racing careers have taken a very different route as NHRA beckons.
Tony Stewart and wife gear up for on-track rivalry
NHRA’s landscape is shifting as Tony Stewart secures a seat in the Top Fuel class for 2026. He will be driving for Elite Motorsports, while his wife, Leah Pruett, returns to her role at Tony Stewart Racing. The confirmation comes amid Elkite Motorsports’ acquisition of Josh Hart’s Top Fuel program. They have formed a marketing alliance between Elite and TSR. The setup positions the Stewarts as couple competitors.
Leah Pruett’s return comes after a hiatus to start and focus on her family. She’s a 12-time Top Fuel event winner. Stewart, meanwhile, has filled in for her the past two seasons. He has earned multiple Top Fuel wins himself, including a victory at the 2025 NHRA 4-Wide Nationals. He also earned the 2025 regular-season championship title. But now, the couple will both be active drivers next season, competing directly against each other.
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Tony Stewart’s ride in the Elite Motorsports Top Fuel dragster in 2026 would incorporate his driving role with team‐ownership duties under the Elite-TSR alliance. Elite owner Richard Freeman said, “Having Tony as our driver, adding another Top Fuel entry … we’re creating an opportunity for Tony to keep a Top Fuel seat and a chance to race alongside his wife, Leah.” This marks one of NHRA’s few husband-wife pro class rivalries. A move following in the footsteps of John Smith and Rhonda Hartman-Smith.
Meanwhile, Pruett tested earlier in 2025, confirming her readiness. She expressed gratitude to the team and supporters for allowing the needed hiatus. Stewart has publicly acknowledged that the seat is Pruett’s when she is ready. With the new alliance and Elite’s purchase of Josh Hart’s Top Fuel operation, he now has a second path to stay behind the wheel without displacing her.