“She’s a way stronger woman than I am a man.” Tony Stewart’s proud declaration about his wife last week is hardly an understatement. Leah Pruett is a decorated NHRA Top Fuel racer, with 18 victories to her credit throughout her career. Last year, she won two races in the Dodge Top Fuel dragster driving for Tony Stewart Racing and finished 3rd in the standings. Besides her racetrack resume, Pruett also displays her indomitable strength off the tracks.

Suffering from Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune disorder that produces hormone complications, Pruett was not even sure if she could start a family. But the iron-willed woman went through the entire process. And even during the most painful hour of becoming a mother, she was dedicated to her motorsports career.

Tony Stewart’s power comes from his better half

NASCAR has hosted a few versatile racers like Tony Stewart. The 49-time Cup Series race winner is also a three-time champion (2002, ’05, ’11). Outside of NASCAR, Stewart also holds a championship in IndyCar, and this year he won the NHRA drag racing championship. These laurels make one wonder: where does the 53-year-old veteran harness his energy? Well, after the birth of his son, Dominic James Stewart, it is clear now.

Competing full-time in the NHRA TopFuel Dragster ranks instead of his wife, Stewart posted a 17-20 record in elimination rounds. He also clinched the NHRA Rookie of the Year honor, largely due to his wife’s encouragement. After qualifying in Pomona, California, Tony Stewart had to rush to Phoenix to witness the birth of his child – and found his wife strong as always. In a revealing Instagram post, the veteran reflected on Pruett’s undeterred racing spirit.

“We made our run, and as soon as I got back, I called Leah. “Everything is fine; nothing has changed. Get ready for your last qualifying run,” she said.” Stewart continued, “I get to the hospital, and Leah looks like she’s ready to go out to dinner. Beautiful and calm. The second sentence out of her mouth was, “What is the drop-dead time you need to leave to get back to the track on time?” If that doesn’t show you what our family is all about and how strong my wife is, you’ll never figure it out.”

During the first round, Tony Stewart produced a career-best run of 3.688 seconds at 334.73 mph. But in the semi-finals, he eventually lost to Doug Kalitta. But the veteran’s heart was full as his wife bravely tackled pregnancy while encouraging his racing pursuits. “I’ve never been so proud of Leah as I was that weekend. I always knew she was a strong woman, but when Dom arrived and I looked back at her and she didn’t have one bead of sweat on her face, I learned how strong and how much of a badass she really is. And for her to want to know what time I needed to head back to Pomona shows who the Stewarts are as a family. We work hard, play hard, but most of all, we get shit done.”

Indeed, Leah Pruett’s indomitable spirit was prevalent throughout.

Deterred only by health

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True dedication to something is apparent when you say no to all excuses except for ailing health. Leah Pruett’s love for racing resembles that spirit. The 18-time NHRA race winner stepped into the series in 2013 and collected eclectic victories. She owns 12 wins in the TopFuel dragster ranks, three in the Pro Mod, and three in the Factory Stock Showdown. Last year, she picked up two Top Fuel victories and finished 3rd in the championship standings. So at the end of 2023, Pruett outlined what should have been the top priority for her. “It is easy to sit back and have the immediate view that we’ve got this killer race team and we can do what we didn’t do this year, which is win a championship.”

However, the 36-year-old’s Hashimoto condition compelled her to take a step back. “Hashimoto’s gives me a lot of challenges throughout the year in racing, and it took a lot to get that under control…to start a family.” She stated how being a woman racer comes with a long list of caveats. “Time is not on anyone’s side, and time is not gender neutral. But when it comes to being a female and a female racer, time is particularly not on your side.” Even so, she made it clear that her health condition is but a paltry obstacle to her soon-to-resume career goals. “There are no guarantees or promises on when I will be back in the seat, but I have every intention of returning as soon as I can. Everything in my heart says that I will return to driving Top Fuel as soon as I feel ready.”

Tony Stewart’s better half is an iron-willed superwoman. With a new member of the Stewart family here, we cannot wait to see Leah Pruett achieve new racing and family milestones.