Sent Into ‘Panic Moment’, Tony Stewart Drops Bold Verdict on His Strength “As a Man”

Tony Stewart is no stranger to pressure. Over a decades-long career, he’s won three NASCAR Cup Series championships, an IndyCar title, and countless races across various disciplines. Known for his fiery demeanor and no-nonsense attitude, Stewart has long been a symbol of grit and determination on and off the track.

But in a candid interview at the 2024 PRI Show with MAVTV’s Grace Woelbing, Stewart revealed that even with all his accolades, nothing could prepare him for the emotional rollercoaster of his son’s birth. As he reflected on the chaos and strength required during that life-altering moment, he admitted it left him reevaluating his own ideas of toughness.

Chaos at the track: “I didn’t know what I was doing”

Tony’s introduction to fatherhood was anything but smooth sailing. He was at the racetrack, preparing for a qualifying run in his rookie NHRA drag racing season, when his team manager, Kelly Antonelli, delivered the news: “Leah is on her way to Phoenix, to the hospital.” To make matters more complicated, Phoenix wasn’t the planned hospital location. “I’m sitting there in panic mode,” Stewart recalled. “In 30 minutes, I’m supposed to be getting dressed to make a qualifying run. So I’m like, am I supposed to leave? Am I supposed to stay?” Going into the race at Pomona, Stewart knew it was going to be hectic. Pruett’s due date and his race in the championship were coming in at the same time.

Despite the whirlwind of emotions, Tony Stewart relied on his wife, Leah Pruett, to guide him through. A champion drag racer herself, Leah assured him everything was under control. “She’s like, ‘You’re fine, go make the run,’” Tony shared. “So I said, ‘Okay, I’ll call you when it’s over, and we’ll figure out what we’re doing.’”

Qualifying in seventh place for the NHRA finals, Stewart wrapped up his second run and headed to the airfield. Luckily, it was right next to the race track, and he was in the air shortly. Soon after he made it to the airport. And it was there that Leah’s resilience left him awestruck. “The second thing out of her mouth when I walked in the door was, ‘What is the drop-dead time you have to leave in the morning to get back to the racetrack?’” Stewart said. “I’m like, you’re getting ready for the most life-changing experience of your entire life, and you’re more worried about what time I need to leave.”

At 4:43 a.m., their son Dominic was born, marking a monumental moment in Stewart’s life. But the chaos didn’t end there. “I immediately started texting family—my parents, her mom, her sister—just to make sure everyone important found out directly from us,” Tony explained. Then, a realization hit him like a 300-mph dragster: “This is going to come out on TV before we can tell everyone.”

“So instead of enjoying a cat nap on the flight back to the track, I’m frantically sending text messages and photos, making sure every significant person in our life knows before they see it on the broadcast,” Stewart said. It was an exhausting day that started with barely two hours of sleep and ended with a plane crash at the racetrack that delayed the first round. Doug Kalitta eventually beat him in the semi-final round, ensuring Stewart finished 7th in the championship.

Through it all, Stewart marveled at Leah’s strength. “I knew I had a strong wife, but the night and morning she gave birth to Dominic showed me how strong she really is,” he said. “She’s a much stronger woman than I will ever be as a man. I’m very proud of her for that.” It’s not just the birth of their child. Pruett proved time and again just how strong she is. Whether it is in the sphere of racing or openly talking about problems to raise awareness, she’s an important role model in the NHRA.

And while Smoke may have finished 7th in the NHRA, it was an extremely memorable season.

How the rookie Drag Racing season shaped up for Tony Stewart

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Stewart’s rookie NHRA drag racing season has been nothing short of remarkable. After years of dominance in NASCAR, he made the jump to drag racing alongside Leah, winning NHRA Rookie of the Year honors in 2024. But balancing his first season with the birth of his son proved to be an unforgettable challenge.

“When I got to the track that morning, both teams were lined up on either side of the dragster to greet me,” Stewart shared. “It was a really neat surprise.” Running on adrenaline and minimal sleep, Stewart powered through the day, fueled by the support of his crew and the joy of becoming a father.

The chaos of that day even included a freak accident: a plane crash at the racetrack during the first round of competition. Yet somehow, Tony found moments of calm amid the storm. “I used the downtime to show people photos of Dominic’s birth,” he said. “It was great to share that with everyone.” Stewart’s rookie drag racing campaign capped off a year of major milestones. As a newcomer to the NHRA scene, he impressed fans and competitors alike, proving that even after conquering NASCAR, he’s not done breaking new ground. But for Tony, the birth of his son far outweighs any trophy or accolade.