NASCAR legend Tony Stewart plans to compete for Elite Motorsports against wife Leah Pruett in the Top Fuel drag racing series in 2026, he announced Thursday.

Leah Pruett and husband Tony Stewart, who welcomed son Dominic in November, will compete in the NHRA Top Fuel dragster series in 2026. Photo by Mark Rebilas/TSR UPI

Sept. 18 (UPI) -- NASCAR legend Tony Stewart plans to compete for Elite Motorsports against his wife, Leah Pruett, in the Top Fuel drag racing series in 2026, he announced Thursday.

The move comes just weeks after Stewart announced he planned to give his Tony Stewart Racing seat to Pruett, who took a year off to give birth to son Dominic. Once Elite Motorsports secures funding, Stewart is to compete in his third Top Fuel campaign.

"I said I would not race against my wife and I've lied to myself, obviously," Stewart said Thursday on Kevin Harvick's Happy Hour Podcast.

Elite Motorsports, which maintains a marketing deal with Tony Stewart Racing, signed an agreement earlier this month to acquire Josh Hart's Top Fuel operation. Drivers Eric Enders and Aaron Stanfield also will test and license the dragster.

"Having Tony as our driver, adding another Top Fuel entry, we're taking care of the sport and opening up possibilities, that's why we'll have Erica and Aaron get licensed in the car, as well," team owner Richard Freeman said in a news release.

"First things first, though, we need to get the program funded, but letting everyone know our intentions, that will help.

"Tony is a great driver; we all know he can drive anything. He's great for drag racing, not just as a team owner, but behind the wheel. We're excited that through our marketing alliance with Tony Stewart Racing, we're creating an opportunity for Tony to keep a Top Fuel seat and a chance to race alongside his wife, Leah."

Stewart retired from full-time NASCAR racing after the 2016 season. He earned Rookie of the Year honors in 2024 and logged two Top Fuel victories in 2025. The three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion sits in second place in the NHRA standings, trailing only Doug Kalitta.

Pruett, who married Stewart in 2021, was announced as the Top Fuel driver the same year for Tony Stewart Racing. Pruett, who debuted in 2013, owns 18 career NHRA victories. She finished third in the 2023 Top Fuel standings before her hiatus.

"I said from the very beginning that I was just keeping Leah's seat warm and that it was hers as soon as she was ready to come back," Stewart said.

"Well, she's coming back in 2026, and that Direct Connection Dodge//SRT Top Fuel dragster is going to have her name on it, not mine. And as much as I wanted to continue driving, TSR is not in a position to add a second Top Fuel car.

"But with Richard buying Josh Hart's team and our recent alliance, I can still work as an owner and a driver to help both our organizations grow."

The 2025 season will continue with the NHRA 4-Wide Carolina Nationals, which will be held from Thursday through Sunday in Concord, N.C. The 2026 season will start with the Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla., from March 5 to 8.