LEAH PRUETT Returns to Tony Stewart Racing While Husband Competes for Elite

March 8, 2026

• LEAH PRUETT is stepping back into Tony Stewart Racing’s Top Fuel dragster after taking time off to have her son, creating the fascinating dynamic where she’ll be competing against her husband Tony Stewart, who’s now driving for Elite Motorsports. This spouse-versus-spouse scenario isn’t new in NHRA – we’ve got a track record of couples who know how to keep business on the strip and love at home.
• ANGIE SMITH continues to prove that Pro Stock Motorcycle isn’t just a boys’ club, regularly going head-to-head with her husband Matt Smith on track. The Smiths, along with RHONDA HARTMAN SMITH and John Smith, have been normalizing the concept of spouses competing against each other in NHRA for years, showing that real racers respect each other’s talent regardless of what they share off the track.
• The 2026 season opener at Gainesville showcases how women are integral to NHRA’s competitive landscape, not just participating but actively shaping storylines. While Tony Stewart admits he’d “put his foot on their throat ’til their face turns blue” to beat anyone – including his wife – this isn’t about gender politics, it’s about pure racing respect between professionals who happen to share a bed.

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