So much for waiting until Charlotte to reveal his plans, Elite Motorsports did it for Tony Stewart.
Elite Motorsports confirmed Friday that Stewart will drive its Top Fuel dragster beginning in 2026, provided the program secures sponsorship backing. The move keeps Stewart behind the wheel even as his wife, Leah Pruett, prepares to return full-time to her own seat with Tony Stewart Racing.
The announcement came weeks after Elite purchased Josh Hart’s Top Fuel team and just days after Stewart hinted on the “Dale Jr. Podcast” that news about his drag racing future was imminent. With funding in place, Stewart will continue as both a driver and team co-owner while Elite expands its presence in the Mission Foods NHRA Drag Racing Series.
Six-time Pro Stock world champion Erica Enders and Pro Stock standout Aaron Stanfield will also test and license in the dragster. Team owner Richard Freeman said the plan strengthens Elite’s NHRA commitment.
“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,” Freeman said. “First things first though, we need to get the program funded, but letting everyone know our intentions, that will help.”
Freeman emphasized Stewart’s crossover appeal. “Tony is a great driver, we all know he can drive anything,” Freeman said. “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.”
For Stewart, the arrangement allows him to honor his promise to Pruett while remaining active as a driver.
“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.”
With Tony Stewart Racing not adding a second Top Fuel car, the alliance with Elite created a path forward. “As much as I wanted to continue driving, TSR is not in a position to add a second Top Fuel car,” Stewart said. “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 2026 campaign will be Stewart’s third in Top Fuel. He earned NHRA Rookie of the Year in 2024, claimed his first Top Fuel win at the 2025 Las Vegas Four-Wide Nationals, and has since added another victory and the 2025 regular season championship.
With five races left in the Countdown to the Championship, Stewart is second in points, only 18 behind the leader. A title would add NHRA gold to a career that already includes championships in NASCAR, IndyCar and sprint cars.
For Stewart, the new deal represents more than a contract. “This is about keeping the momentum going for both Elite and TSR,” he said. “At the end of the day, I just love driving race cars, and I’m grateful this gives me a chance to keep doing it.”
