NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart Plans Top Fuel Race Against Wife Leah Pruett in 2026

NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart will continue his drag racing career in 2026 by driving a Top Fuel dragster for Elite Motorsports, where he will compete against his wife, Leah Pruett, who is returning to Tony Stewart Racing after a year off following the birth of their son. Stewart originally held Pruett's seat during her hiatus but will now race for Elite Motorsports due to Tony Stewart Racing's inability to field a second Top Fuel car. The move is facilitated by a marketing alliance between Elite Motorsports and Tony Stewart Racing, with team owner Richard Freeman expressing excitement about having Stewart as a driver and the unique husband-wife rivalry this creates on the drag strip. Stewart, a three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and 1997 IndyCar champion, earned NHRA Rookie of the Year honors in 2024 and has two Top Fuel wins in the 2025 season, currently standing second in the NHRA points. This arrangement allows Stewart to remain both a driver and an owner, helping to grow both organizations while adding a compelling new dynamic to the NHRA competition.