NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Leah Pruett has enjoyed a strong start to her return to the Top Fuel ranks and appears as close as ever to her first win of the 2026 season in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series.

Heading to South Georgia Motorsports Park (SGMP) for this weekend’s NHRA Southern Nationals, Pruett is also one of a handful of drivers with experience at the new track on NHRA’s national event circuit.

She has tested in a variety of cars at the facility, and while none of those were in a Top Fuel dragster, there is some familiarity for Pruett at SGMP, which could bode well for the standout as she remains on the verge of her first win during NHRA’s 75th Anniversary season.

Pruett advanced to the final quad last weekend in Charlotte, finishing third, marking her second final round in the past three races. Add in a No. 1 qualifier from Pomona, and Pruett, who is currently third in points, is feeling good in her American Rebel Beer dragster for Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) heading into this weekend’s SGMP debut.

"This year, with my return to driving, I get to reestablish myself in front of everyone and every single eyeball,” Pruett said. “I feel that things are moving very well and in the right direction for me back in the car and working with the team again. This team can definitely battle for a championship like the past three years, with myself and Tony [Stewart] in the driver's seat. I'm anxious to get to [South Georgia Motorsports Park] now. I got my Funny Car license there and tested Pro Mod and Factory Stock at that track."

Pruett brings a wave of momentum to the first back-to-back race of the season. She’ll be trying to slow down points leader and reigning world champ Doug Kalitta, who picked up his second win of the season last weekend in Charlotte.

But he’s hardly the only standout in the category, as Pruett will also have to deal with the likes of Shawn Langdon, her husband, racing legend Tony Stewart, Justin Ashley, Clay Millican, Tony Schumacher, and four-time champ Antron Brown.

But after not racing the past two years, Pruett has jumped right back into the thick of things, performing at a high level right off the bat. That bodes well for the rest of the season as Pruett continues to get more and more comfortable in the seat again.

"Our TSR team continues to show strength every single weekend,” Pruett said. “I have to sit back and take a look at my personal performance since Gainesville, when we started the season. Then, there were slight improvements at Phoenix and Pomona. I have made the biggest gains [in Charlotte]. I tried something new [last] weekend that I used a long time ago. It didn't go as well as planned this time, but I have many benefits from the weekend for my reaction time toolbox. We are very happy with the car, and we are No. 3 in points now.”

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 2 and 4:30 p.m. ET on Friday, May 1, and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, May 2 at 12:30 and 3 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. ET on Sunday, May 3. Television coverage includes qualifying on FS1 at 9:30 p.m. ET on Friday and 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, with eliminations action to follow at 7 p.m.

To purchase tickets to the 2026 NHRA Southern Nationals, fans can visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. Children 12 and under are free in general admission areas with the purchase of an adult ticket.