Leah Pruett will conclude her NHRA Top Fuel season with a farewell tour of sorts, announcing she will step away from the series at the end of this season to focus on growing her family. Pruett, who is in contention for her first NHRA Top Fuel title, plans to have a second child with husband Tony Stewart.
The timing of the decision adds a layer of drama to the championship chase. Pruett enters the final stretch of the season third in the standings, one position ahead of Stewart, who is fourth. The two are not only competitors on the track but partners off it, making the closing races a unique family affair with a title on the line.
For local drag racing fans who have followed Pruett's career, the announcement signals the end of an era — at least for now. Pruett has been a fixture in the Top Fuel ranks, and her pursuit of a first championship will be one of the defining storylines of the remaining events. Should she capture the title, it would be a storybook finish to a season that will also mark her departure from full-time competition.
Stewart, meanwhile, remains in the hunt as well, sitting just one spot behind his wife. The couple's decision to prioritize family reflects a growing trend among professional athletes who step back during peak competitive years to focus on personal milestones. For Pruett, the move is not a retirement from the sport entirely but a pause to welcome a second child.
The NHRA season will continue without Pruett in 2027, but her presence in the 2026 championship battle ensures her final races will carry extra weight. Fans attending upcoming events will have a chance to see one of the sport's top drivers compete for a title before she shifts gears to family life.
