Home / Sports / Pruett Steps Away for Family, Leaves Door Open for Return
Pruett Steps Away for Family, Leaves Door Open for Return
18 Sep
Summary
- Leah Pruett will pause her Top Fuel career to focus on expanding her family.
- She declined to call this a retirement, emphasizing a potential return to racing.
- Tony Schumacher will replace Pruett in her Top Fuel dragster seat next season.
Leah Pruett, a championship contender in NHRA Top Fuel, announced she will step away from the sport at the conclusion of this season to prioritize starting a second child with her husband, Tony Stewart.
Pruett, who previously took time off in 2024 and 2025 for family reasons, stated she is "most definitely leaving the door open for the possibility and opportunity of returning." She declined to label this a "retirement," reflecting her deep connection to drag racing.
Eight-time Top Fuel champion Tony Schumacher is set to take over Pruett's seat starting next season. Pruett expressed that the move with Schumacher, a former teammate, felt like a "full-circle moment."
Pruett intends to remain active during her break, managing the race team and raising her son, Dominic, while attending events.
Currently, Pruett is in contention for the Top Fuel championship, trailing the leader by 43 points with six races remaining in the playoffs.
