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A bet gone wrong – Leah Pruett’s victory over Tony Stewart
In a candid interview, Tony Stewart revealed the amusing yet sobering details of how he lost naming rights to his racing team to his wife, Leah Pruett. “Yeah, well, what had happened was, we might have over-celebrated on his championship, and by the time I got back, there were 15 people piled into Leah’s lounge,” Tony began, setting the stage for the comedic showdown.
Leah’s lounge, akin to a Crew Chief’s lounge, became the battleground where Tony, admittedly over-served, went toe-to-toe against Leah. “But the bet was that if she beat me that she got naming rights to the team and got to change it from TSR to LSR,” Tony explained.
Thus, Tony commemorated his defeat with an LSR deal. While Leah even created her own merchandise. “Luckily she hasn’t changed the names on the trailer. But, yeah, I’m hearing about it weekly… Then I have to tell the story of how I got my bu** kicked by my wife which is not a fun part of the story to tell but
yeah we had fun we uh you know it’s awesome to be able to celebrate our first championship…” Tony added, laughing at his predicament.
This playful rivalry between the couple has not only added a new layer to their relationship but also become a talking point among their peers. “I’ve picked on a lot about it. I’ve learned not to bet against my wife on anything anymore. At least nothing that has consequences,” Tony concluded, reflecting on the lesson he learned from this light-hearted episode.
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Charter sales and filling Leah’s shoes in NHRA
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Tony Stewart’s focus has notably shifted from NASCAR as Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) has undergone significant changes, including the sale of several team charters. This decision marks a substantial shift in Tony’s involvement in NASCAR, reflecting his evolving interests and the challenges of maintaining competitive operations in the sport. In 2024, Stewart and co-owner Gene Haas announced the sale of SHR’s charters, signaling a gradual exit from NASCAR .
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Additionally, Stewart has taken on a new role in NHRA. This was due to Leah Pruett’s decision to step aside from racing to focus on starting a family. Leah had a successful 2023 season with two event wins and a career-best third-place finish in the top fuel standings. She decided that it was the right time to pause her racing career. “Me seeing him grow in such a small amount of time, there was no question in my mind that he is the right fit for this position,” Leah remarked about Tony stepping in as her replacement.
Tony Stewart, at 52, acknowledges the challenge ahead but embraces the opportunity with his characteristic determination. “My goal is to not suck,” he candidly stated. “My goal is to not get fired by my wife and not kill myself driving this thing. I think we’ll be fine. It’s just going to be a matter of adapting“ . This shift underscores Tony’s passion for racing in diverse forms. All the while supporting Leah during an important phase of their personal lives.