Tony Stewart, one of the most decorated drivers in the history of motorsports, will add to his resume in 2024.
Stewart will step into the seat of his wife, Leah Pruett’s car that he owns while Pruett takes a hiatus to focus on starting a family with Stewart. This comes after a career that saw Pruett compete in drag racing for 27 consecutive years.
“Drag racing has been an important part of my life for over three quarters of my life,” Pruett said in a press release. “Twenty-seven 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.”
Stewart, who owns three NASCAR championships, an IndyCar title, a USAC Triple Crown championship, two Chili Bowl race wins, an IROC and an SRX title, among many other accolades will again expand his catalog.
The Indiana native drove in the NHRA’s Top Alcohol series, essentially the top minor league in drag racing, in 2023 and now feels he is ready to make the jump up.
“There have been so many instances in my career where I didn’t feel like I was ready. There is a lot of validity to it that you’re not ready until you just get in and do it,” Stewart said in a release.
The decision to put Stewart in the car was made by both Pruett and crew chief Neal Strausbaugh.
“I am very proud of my wife,” Stewart said. “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.”
The 2024 NHRA season will kick off with the Gator Nationals set for March 7-10 at Gainesville Raceway.
