Leah Pruett Calls Her Final Race the “Superbowl of All Drag Races” Before Her Sabbatical from Racing

The roar of the engine, the blur of the strip, and the electrifying rush of adrenaline coursing through her veins—for over a decade, these were the defining elements of Leah Pruett‘s life. Over the years, she’s carved her name into drag racing history with 11 Top Fuel wins, a heart-stopping 334.15 mph record, and a near-championship run in 2023.

Whereas she stands poised on the precipice of the inaugural PRO Superstar Shootout, emotions run deeper than the nitro in her bloodstream. This isn’t just another race; it’s a potential farewell, a “Superbowl” moment before Leah Pruett embarks on a different kind of race—the race for motherhood.

Pruett to Make a U-Turn Towards Family

For Leah Pruett, the drag racing spectacle isn’t just about pushing her 11,000-horsepower Top Fuel dragster to the limit. It is a sentimental combination, a goodbye to the checkered flag before she embarks on starting a family with her husband, three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Tony Stewart. In a recent video on Twitter by FloRacing, the official streaming partner for the Pro Superstar Shootout 2024, Leah Pruett opened up about her mixed emotions surrounding her potential last race and the significance of the event.

“Oh my goodness!” Leah Pruett exclaimed. “Well, I really consider this race multi-dimensional. For one, we are focusing on success for this car, for this race, right? It’s the Superbowl of all Drag Races!” she declared, emphasizing the prestigious nature of the event.

Beyond the competitive fire, Pruett acknowledged the broader picture of the growing potential of the event. “But also significance for what PRO has done and what this means for the industry of Drag Racing…” she said, highlighting the event’s potential to elevate the sport.”

Watch This Story: Tony Stewart’s Wife Leah Pruett Gets Emotional As She Vacates Her Racing Haven For Husband Smoke

But most importantly, her solo shootout ‘Shootout’ holds personal significance for Pruett. “And then for me, you know, it could be one of my last times in the short term for racing,” she revealed, her voice laced with emotion. “So I am really embracing all of the moments and trying to get this race car with this team in a hot pursuit for the Championship for Tony [Stewart].”

The Pro ‘Superbowl’ Shootout 2024

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As the grandstands at Bradenton Motorsports Park roar with anticipation, Leah Pruett knows this isn’t just another pass down the strip. It’s the culmination of years of dedication, a potential victory lap before she hangs up her helmet (at least temporarily) to chase a different checkered flag. But more than just a personal farewell, the PRO Superstar Shootout 2024—the Superbowl of drag racing—marks a turning point for the sport as a whole.

This inaugural event, championed by Drag Illustrated and the Professional Racers Owners Organization, is more than just a race. It’s a bold experiment, a “dramatic new leap for professional drag racing,” as PRO President Alan Johnson declared. Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock titans will battle it out on the quarter-mile stage, with a staggering $1.3 million prize pool dangling at the finish line. Additionally, it is an opportunity to introduce a newer audience to the raw force and thrilling speeds of drag racing, potentially sparking a new chapter for the sport.

But the roar of the engine won’t be the only sound echoing in her helmet on Saturday. Thoughts of her future with her husband, Tony Stewart, who will take her place in the TSR Top Fuel dragster, will undoubtedly weave themselves into the rush of adrenaline. Stepping aside for her husband might seem like a sacrifice, but Pruett sees it as a different kind of victory—the triumph of family.

Read More: Meet Hall of Famer Tony Stewart’s Wife and NHRA Driver Leah Pruett