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NASCAR Legend Tony Stewart Replaces Wife Leah Pruett n NRHA Top Fuel Racer

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NASCAR Legend Tony Stewart Is Going Drag RacingJared C. Tilton - Getty Images

Three-time Cup Series champion Tony Stewart may have retired from driving NASCAR stock cars in 2016, but his racing career is far from over. With his wife Leah Pruett set to step away from her job as an NHRA Top Fuel drag racer in order to focus on starting a family, Stewart announced plans on Thursday to contest the full 2024 Top Fuel season in the car she plans to vacate.

Stewart has spent the past season racing in the NHRA's top alcohol class, winning four rounds on his way to second in the season-long championship. Pruett finished third with two wins in last year's NHRA Top Fuel championship in her first year driving for Stewart, her husband since 2021. That is a high bar for Stewart to strive for in his first year in top-level dragsters, but his strong season in just one year in similar cars should prepare him well for the challenge.