LIVE FROM TEXAS: TONY STEWART REFLECTS ON RACING, RETIREMENT, AND NEW BEGINNINGS
In a quiet corner of Texas, where the scent of smoked brisket fills the air, Tony Stewart—the legendary NASCAR champion—found himself enjoying BBQ and nostalgia at a small-town eatery. Settled into a cozy booth, Stewart, known for his fiery competitiveness and quick humor, shared stories and reflections on a career filled with high-speed thrills and life-altering choices.
A Legend’s Take on Retirement
Stewart, who retired from NASCAR in 2016, made it clear that walking away wasn’t a decision he regrets. “Driving a race car isn’t something you can do half. If you’re going to do it, you’ve got to be committed. You’ve got to be all in,” he told the restaurant’s owner, Terry Sullivan, while savoring the establishment’s famous brisket and wings.
The three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion admitted, “I just stopped having fun with the direction [NASCAR] was going.” However, he hasn’t lost his sense of humor—or his love for racing. When Sullivan teased him about returning, Stewart quipped, “I would, but I’m too lazy to find a real job. And besides, I don’t want to eat my wife’s cooking.”
The Racing Bug That Never Left
Racing has always been in Stewart’s blood. From childhood go-kart races to dominating the NASCAR Cup Series, his passion has remained unshakable. With 49 Cup Series wins and three championships, including a dramatic tiebreaker victory over Carl Edwards in 2011, his legacy is undeniable.
In 2020, Stewart was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame, cementing his reputation as one of the sport’s all-time greats. “I promised my dad when I was young that I’d leave anything that didn’t bring me joy,” Stewart recalled, emphasizing his choice to step away from NASCAR.
A New Chapter in NHRA
Now, Stewart has found a new thrill in the NHRA, where he serves as both driver and team owner for Tony Stewart Racing. Taking over the Top Fuel seat while his wife, Leah Pruett, takes a break, Stewart is proving that his skills are as sharp as ever.
Pruett, a 12-time Top Fuel winner and NHRA veteran, recently celebrated a career-best third-place finish. While stepping away for the 2025 season, she expressed excitement about her future return. “I’m looking forward to getting back in a dragster when the time is right, but for now, it’s all about this baby,” Pruett said in an interview with Behind The Catch Fence.
A Growing Family
The Stewart-Pruett family recently welcomed their newest member, Dominic James Stewart, during the NHRA season finale at Pomona Dragstrip. In a heartwarming social media post, the team shared, “Meet our new teammate, Dominic James Stewart. Momma @LeahPruett_TF and baby are doing great. Congratulations, LP and @TonyStewart, on becoming new parents!”
Remarkably, Stewart balanced qualifying for the NHRA, rushing to Phoenix for Dominic’s birth, and returning to Pomona for race day. His dedication remains as unwavering as ever, with fans speculating about the possibility of a family racing team in 2026.
The Fire Still Burns
Whether reminiscing over BBQ or blazing down a drag strip, Tony Stewart’s love for racing and life’s adventures remains as strong as ever. “The racing bug never leaves you,” he said, grinning. For this Hall of Famer, every turn—on and off the track—is another lap in a life lived at full throttle.
