Tony Stewart, a racing legend and larger-than-life personality, is facing one of the biggest shifts of his life: fatherhood. In June, Stewart and his wife, Top Fuel driver Leah Pruett, announced they were expecting a baby boy. This news set the Stewarts on a wild ride of change as Leah put racing on hold to focus on motherhood while Tony, ever the dutiful husband, picked up more responsibilities. But this wasn’t just another smooth pit stop for Stewart—fatherhood, as he admits, feels like an entirely unique challenge.

And he’s not stepping into it alone. While his career has revolved around speed, skill and often solitary achievements, becoming a dad means letting go of the reins a bit. Just as Stewart-Haas Racing, the team he co-owned, shut down operations at the season’s end, Tony finds himself ready to tackle a new role that demands patience, humor, and a sense of vulnerability. With Leah’s calming influence and insights from close friends like Kevin Harvick and DeLana Harvick, Tony is learning what lies ahead. But choosing a name—something so simple—became one of their biggest challenges.

The hurdles that came with naming their son

The naming process wasn’t easy. At 53, Stewart has spent a lifetime meeting people and forming connections in the racing community which made finding an unused name difficult. “You know so many people as we do, it took out a lot of good names because of people that I knew were friends, that had kids with those names,” he said, describing the narrowing process. Leah had her favorites, with “Dominic” standing out early on. After back-and-forth discussions, Leah ultimately made the call, and Stewart was happy to go along. “I don’t care what we call him. I’m just proud to have him. When I saw his face today, it was an emotion I’ve never felt before,” he said, visibly moved.

Like many, Fox Sports’ Bob Pockrass was also wondering what made Tony Stewart choose the name Dominic James Stewart for his baby. In an X post, Bob Pockrass uploaded a video with the caption, “I also wondered how Tony Stewart and Leah Pruett came up with the name Dominic James Stewart. This is what Stewart said, and why there was one name that was definitely off the table.”

In the video uploaded by Pockrass, Tony explains the challenges faced and the process of naming his son, “Absolutely not. There was no way in hell I would give a kid a strike against me right out of the gate like that.” Stewart, known for his straightforward approach, ruled out naming his son “Anthony”—a move he felt would add unnecessary pressure and “baggage” to the boy’s life. When asked about how he and Leah landed on the name Dominic James Stewart, Tony Stewart shared a humorous take on the process.

Though Stewart described the naming discussions as surprisingly challenging, he also found humor in his small role in the process. Laughing, he shared, “Come up with the name—that was my only job.” Leah, who took on most of the household preparations, had been working tirelessly to get ready for the baby’s arrival. She managed nearly every detail like moving into their new house in Lake Havasu, organizing the baby’s room, and handling travel arrangements, all while Stewart focused on racing. “She has done all the hard work. I’ve been out racing and having fun,” he admitted, clearly admiring her dedication. The balance they struck allowed Pruett to thrive, while Stewart enjoyed the ride—a “win-win” for both.

Tony Stewart is facing parenthood with Leah’s support

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Since their wedding in Los Cabos in 2021, Tony Stewart and Leah Pruett have been racing alongside each other and supporting one another both on and off the track. That same year, Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) expanded into NHRA with Pruett competing alongside Matt Hagan in the series. Their shared journey in motorsport led to an impressive set of achievements for TSR, akin to Stewart’s impact with Stewart-Haas Racing in NASCAR. Now, however, the couple is on a different type of journey. One that doesn’t involve racing but requires as much—if not more—teamwork and patience.

Though Stewart jokes about his nerves, Leah has been his steady support throughout this period. Her reassuring words helped him keep things in perspective. When Stewart confessed his jitters about becoming a father, Leah lightheartedly replied, “I don’t know why you’re nervous… Crackheads do this, and their kids seem to turn out okay. We can do this.” Her words struck a chord with Stewart, allowing him to laugh and feel more confident in their ability to navigate parenthood.

Another source of inspiration when it comes to parenthood for Tony Stewart is Kevin Harvick. Last month, when Stewart appeared on a segment of ‘Happy Hour’ with Kevin Harvick the latter gave him a reality check. “You’re driving home, and now you are responsible for this human being is way different than any dog or any monkey could ever be. Are there any concerns there that you have that you need to tell us about?” Here, Harvick refers to Stewart’s pet monkey and how Harvick felt before the birth of his children. This was an eye-opener for Tony, as it came from someone who he shared a very strong bond with. Tony replied, “I’m scared to death bud.”

Kevin Harvick got married in 2001 to DeLana Harvick and has two children with her. His son, Keelan Harvick, was born in 2012, and his daughter, Piper Harvick, in 2017. Tony was grateful for being able to be around Harvick during his initial stages of parenthood. “But you know the great thing is I’ve watched you and DeLana go through parenthood, and go through two children, and watch the process. I’ve been able to watch from afar…”

The year 2024 marks a major turning point for Stewart. After 15 years as a NASCAR Cup Series team owner, he will step back from those responsibilities, closing a meaningful chapter in his career. With Stewart-Haas Racing winding down, he can fully focus on his new role as a father, an adventure that has filled him with both anticipation and awe. Although he admits to feeling unprepared, Stewart is determined to embrace fatherhood with the same drive and dedication that has characterized his legendary career.