Leah Pruett
Drag racing // Redlands, California, United States
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Leah Pruett is a renowned American drag racer competing in NHRA Top Fuel, known for exceptional skills, determination, and pioneering role for women in motorsports.
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Don’t quote me, it’s just what I heard from a fan in the churo line.
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Leah Pruett is a groundbreaking NHRA drag racer who has made her mark in Top Fuel competition, inspiring a new generation of female racers with her aggressive driving style and impressive championship accomplishments.
EARLY YEARS
Born on May 26, 1988, in Redlands, California, Leah was immersed in motorsports culture from infancy, attending her father Ron’s land speed racing events when she was just six months old. By age eight, she began racing Jr. Dragsters, quickly demonstrating exceptional talent by collecting 37 trophies and two Division 7 championships while following in the footsteps of her older sister Lindsey.
EARLY SUCCESS
Pruett’s professional breakthrough came in 2010 when she captured the Nostalgia Funny Car title in the NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series. Her talent continued to shine as she progressed through the ranks, making her Top Fuel debut with Dote Racing in 2013. The watershed moment in her early career came in 2016 at the Carquest Auto Parts NHRA Nationals in Chandler, Arizona, where she defeated Brittany Force in the first all-female Top Fuel final since 1982.
NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
- 2010: Won the NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series championship in Funny Car[1].
- 2012: Secured back-to-back NHRA Pro Mod Wally trophies in Charlotte and Las Vegas[5].
- 2016: Claimed her first NHRA Top Fuel win at the Carquest Auto Parts NHRA Nationals in Chandler, Arizona[1].
- 2017: Achieved four Top Fuel wins (Winternationals, Chandler, Houston, and Brainerd) and finished 5th in season points[1].
- 2018: Won two Top Fuel races (Atlanta and Denver) and finished 4th in points[1].
- 2019: Won at Brainerd in Top Fuel, finished 4th in points, and claimed the NHRA SAMTech Factory Stock Showdown championship[3].
- 2022: Scored the first NHRA Top Fuel win for Tony Stewart Racing at the Mile-High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway[5].
- 2023: Finished a career-high third in championship points with two wins and four runner-up finishes[3].
REPUTATION
In the motorsports community, Leah has established herself as a trailblazer who combines precision with aggression on the track. Her 12 event wins in Top Fuel and consistent high ranking in NHRA standings have cemented her status as one of drag racing’s elite competitors. Beyond her competitive success, she has become a powerful role model for women in motorsports, breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated sport while earning respect from both fans and fellow racers alike.
FUTURE GOALS/PLANS
While currently on hiatus to focus on family, Leah has made it clear she intends to return to the NHRA Top Fuel division with the ultimate goal of capturing the Top Fuel NHRA championship that has narrowly eluded her. Though no specific timeline has been established, she remains committed to resuming her pursuit of drag racing’s highest honors once she’s ready to return to competition.
References:
Wikipedia: Leah Pruett
EssentiallySports: Meet Hall Of Famer Tony Stewart’s Wife And NHRA Driver Leah Pruett
NHRA: On Her 33rd Birthday, Leah Pruett Celebrates Her 25th Year In Drag Racing
Dodge Garage: Women Drag Racers In History: Leah Pruett
Smooth Meals: Leah Pruett – A Trailblazer In The World Of Motorsports
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