The racing world was captivated when Leah Pruitt, wife of NASCAR legend Tony Stewart and 12-time NHRA Top Fuel National event winner, broke her silence regarding her future in competitive racing. During a recent press conference at Gainesville Raceway, Pruitt made a revelation that left fans and media alike stunned.

“I’m a Dodge mom,” she declared with laughter, a statement that carried significant weight. Pruitt stepped away from competitive racing in late 2024 to welcome her son, Dominic, into the world, while her husband took over her seat in their Dodge-powered dragster. Now, as the family adapts to their new reality, Pruitt has offered her clearest indication yet about a potential return to the sport that defined her career.

Leah Pruitt’s decision to step back from NHRA racing was not made lightly. She announced her temporary departure to focus on starting a family with Tony Stewart, whom she had married just over two years prior. “This is an incredibly personal decision,” Pruitt told the Associated Press. “Time is not on anyone’s side, and when it comes to being a female racer, time is particularly not on your side.” The timing of her departure was especially poignant, as she had just achieved a career-best third-place finish in the NHRA standings.

On November 17, 2024, Pruitt gave birth to her son, Dominic James Stewart. Just hours before the 2024 NHRA finals, Tony Stewart, a three-time NASCAR champion, stepped in to fill her position in the Top Fuel dragster. His rookie season proved impressive, finishing ninth in the standings and earning the prestigious NHRA Rookie of the Year honors.

During this transition, Tony Stewart Racing announced a multi-year extension with Dodge, providing a stable foundation for the team’s future and potentially paving the way for Pruitt’s eventual return. Though she stepped away from the driver’s seat, Pruitt remains deeply integrated into the operations at Tony Stewart Racing. Her absence from competition hasn’t diminished her influence within the team; behind the scenes, she continues to mentor her crew and fine-tune setups while plotting what she calls an inevitable comeback.

Stewart himself marvels at his wife’s ability to balance her responsibilities. “She’s not sitting on her hands all day. She has a full schedule, and we have help with Dominic,” he said. The balancing act Pruitt performs daily is nothing short of remarkable. She juggles pit crew strategy sessions with baby naps and troubleshoots clutch setups between diaper changes. Her world now orbits two universes: newborn chaos and nitro-burning precision.

Pruitt has maintained her involvement by working on specific projects with the Top Fuel team. This strategic approach allows her to stay connected to the sport while focusing on motherhood. “I’ve kept very busy so that I don’t lose involvement,” she explained. “So when I do jump right back in, I’m even more equipped with what I’ve been working on.”

During the press conference at Gainesville Raceway, Pruitt made her strongest hint yet about a return to racing. Discussing her current role and future plans, she said, “We had conversations at the end of last year about me getting back in the car.” Her casual yet powerful declaration, “I’m a Dodge mom,” signaled to fans that she sees a future where she can balance both motherhood and her racing career.

This phrase quickly became emblematic of her determination to reclaim her place in the driver’s seat while embracing her new role as a mother. The renewed multi-year deal with Dodge adds momentum to Pruitt’s return plans, reinforcing her connection to the brand that has supported her throughout her career.

Tony Stewart has been unequivocal about his position regarding Pruitt’s eventual return. “That race car is her race car,” he affirmed. “When she’s ready to get back in, I will immediately get back out.” His commitment to supporting her career underscores the temporary nature of his current role, leaving the door wide open for Pruitt’s comeback whenever she decides the time is right.

Pruitt’s journey is complicated by health considerations as well. She has revealed that she suffers from Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune disorder that poses challenges in both racing and motherhood. “It took a lot to get that under control just to start a family,” she explained. Despite these challenges, she finds joy in motherhood, celebrating her son Dominic’s milestones.

In a candid Instagram post, Pruitt shared the ups and downs of new parenthood, stating, “The last month has been real rough, but I feel things are looking up.” Her ability to maintain a sense of humor while navigating these challenges speaks to her resilience.

Through it all, Pruitt describes her current situation as winning the absolute lottery: a beautiful baby, an incredible team, and wonderful partners. This positive outlook propels her forward as she contemplates her racing future. As Leah Pruitt continues to balance the roles of mother and racer, fans eagerly anticipate her return to the track, confident that her journey is far from over