What happens when a motorsports legend finds himself in a race he’s not sure he wants to win? Tony Stewart was on the verge of one of the most memorable championship campaigns in NASCAR history in 2011. He needed not only a victory, but perfection, as he was trailing by 12 points going into the last race at Homestead. And he did just that, overtaking Carl Edwards in a race that was so relentless that Stewart passed 118 cars in 267 laps. 

Asked afterwards how he pulled it off, he said, “I feel like I passed half the State of Florida. I mean, 118 cars is a lot of cars to pass in one race… I’ve got to believe that this is one of the greatest races of my life.” Regardless, after more than ten years, Stewart is now thinking about a completely different kind of struggle, one that is entirely focused on the woman he partnered with off-track and has nothing to do with stock cars or point standings, but rather dinners.

Initially, it appears to be a humorous joke for the Hall of Famer. But if you look a little closer, you’ll see that the man who made his career out of ruthless competition is now up against a match where losing could be the best course of action—and winning has repercussions that no checkered flag can undo.

Navigating the couch at 300 MPH as Leah Pruett gears up

Stewart was only a replacement driver of TSR Nitro’s Top Fuel car. He had no intention of competing as a rookie at the age of 52, but he couldn’t turn down the request by Pruett. Well, now that Baby Smoke has marked his arrival, it feels like Pruett might get back in the dragster soon. And there’s a possibility that we might see both Stewart and Pruett compete against each other.

In a recent interview with Bob Pockrass, Tony Stewart explained the high-stakes decision. Stewart was blunt while discussing NHRA Top Fuel star Leah Pruett’s potential return to racing. After stating that he still thought it was a bad idea, he went on to say, “I still think it’s a terrible idea. If I win, I get kicked to the couch. If I lose, somebody calls to tell me I got my butt kicked by my wife.”  

Despite the humorous tone of the quote, the issue is more than just a joke. It strikes at the core of a complicated, high-stress dynamic where ambition, legacy, and marriage could all come together at 300 miles per hour. Stewart is being honest, not just cautious. With 49 NASCAR Cup victories and three Cup Series titles under his belt, he is well-versed in losing situations.  “It is a massive win for her. If she wins, it’s great for her. If I win, I still lose,” he admitted.

On the other hand, Leah Pruett has every incentive to prepare for a comeback. She is still one of the most successful female drivers in contemporary drag racing, having won 10 NHRA titles and coming oh so close to winning the title in 2023. Pruett’s possible comeback in 2025 could change the story, as only three women were competing full-time in the NHRA’s top two classes in 2024, and none of them placed in the Top 5. In addition to being a personal comeback, her re-entry would be a symbolic push in a field that is dominated by men.

Now that they may both be back in the cockpit, the choice isn’t just about who races whom; it’s also about how they both handle the next phase of their life, separately and together. While racing couples are not unheard of, what about spouses competing against one another? That breed is uncommon. Despite being full-time NASCAR drivers during their relationship, Danica Patrick and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. never openly discussed their competition. Legendary NHRA racer John Force and his wife Laurie never competed together, but John was a prominent competitor with his daughters Ashley, Courtney, and Brittany Force.

It may be one of the few occasions in contemporary racing that a married couple competes against one another in a national pro series if Stewart and Pruett are paired together in Top Fuel. Because of this, it’s a much larger tale than trash talk or couch jokes. The statistical and metaphorical significance of the contest would be unparalleled if Stewart joined Top Fuel and Leah came back.

At the time when Stewart seems to optimize his racing schedule, another star driver, Kyle Larson, is nipping at his heels, trying to break the record he’s long-standing record. The iconic double he pulled off back in 2001, driving 500 miles at the Indy 500 and returning to Charlotte and run another 600 miles in the Coca-Cola 600.

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Stewart won’t mind Kyle Larson outperforming him in his double attempt

Kyle Larson is arguably the Tony Stewart of his generation. Having conquered the dirt track and the asphalt, he’s now set his sights on open-wheel racing. Not just any event, the biggest one – the Indy 500. Well, his last year’s attempt was foiled by bad weather and mistakes on the pit road, but with a second shot at the double, he just might eclipse Stewart’s run from 2001. Larson isn’t satisfied with mere participation; he likes to win every race he steps in, and he will head into the Indy 500 with a similar attitude.

Records, they say, are meant to be broken, and Stewart realizes that Larson is on the verge of creating history this year. And he thinks the HMS driver will cruise through the challenges in his second attempt. “I feel like for Kyle, that’s very easy for him to accomplish. And I don’t think it’s out of the realm for him to beat what we did as far as performance. I think anybody that has a record, in the back of mind, doesn’t want it to be broken. But if it’s going to be broken, Kyle’s the guy I want to do it.” Stewart explained.

Larson has all the right resources and people surrounding him in his attempt to complete the double. Hopefully, the weather doesn’t play spoilsport this time around as he won’t be able to opt for the Indy 500 race over NASCAR’s crown jewel event.