NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Photos by Bob Szelag

Leah Pruett made her first runs in a Top Fuel car in a year and a half on Monday after the American Rebel Light Virginia NHRA Nationals, wheeling the American Rebel Light dragster driven by husband Tony Stewart that weekend.

“499 days; that’s how long it had been since I last wheeled a Top Fueler,” Pruett posted on Facebook. "Trust me … I didn’t care that we were testing in some of the nastiest conditions ever (98.6 degrees ambient, 146 degrees on the track). After 499 days out of the seat, it felt incredibly good to knock the rust off.

“This test day had been in the works for months. I drove Tony’s car — the one built and fitted for him. Swapped out seat inserts and a couple belts, and I was … dialed in-ish. We got in three good hits, checked off key items from our parts test list, and left [Virginia] with self-assurance that ‘Racer Leah’ can absolutely co-exist with ‘Mamma Leah.’

“Keeping my NHRA license current means a lot to me.”