3-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, Tony Stewart and drag racing superstar Leah Pruett have been married for a little over two years but in this short time, the couple has captivated the fandom so much so that fans have now started following Stewart’s wife religiously, fascinated over the couple’s dynamics. Stewart’s romance even got the veteran completely immersed into the world of NHRA and drag racing to the extent that the 53-year-old is now filling in for his wife who wants to take up family duties.

Speaking on MotorTrend’s podcast, Hot Rod, “Smoke” divulges more details about how he met his wife, Pruett, and how the veteran had to fight off Jeff Gordon and his former driver, Clint Bowyer valiantly to have his drag racing queen, saying, “I’m single. I am committing. I’m maximum effort.” 

Tony Stewart talked to Leah Pruett for 40 minutes straight the first time they met

While Kyle Busch and his wife Samantha have been the fandom’s sweetheart for a long time, NASCAR has a new couple that has been in the headlines for quite a while now. Stewart and Leah Pruett’s relationship has caught fans’ attention big time with the NASCAR team owner and NHRA racer developing a deep bond, transcending disciplines.

Married in 2021, the couple has been the epitome of a solid relationship. But how did they meet? Well, Tony Stewart recently opened up about the funny tale that ensued when they crossed paths. Speaking to the co-hosts, Brian Lohnes & David Freiburger on the HOT ROD Pod, Stewart revealed how the two met and how he literally had to fight his way, even to have a phone conversation with his future wife.

Stewart first heard of Pruett from a friend who had insisted they are quite similar. However, since the SHR team owner was already engaged at the time, he didn’t pay attention to the matter. However, fate had other plans as the couple, recently single back then, had a chance to meet each other for the first time on FaceTime. Smoke detailed the fateful event and said, “So literally the next year my engagement is off big time get out of here pack your c*** and get out. Leah is separated now, like legally separated. And same thing, get your stuff and get out.”

“And so we’re back at Pratt’s at the Dunes again, and he gets her on FaceTime, and literally Jeff Gordon and Clint Bowyer and I are there that year. And we’re fighting over an iPhone. And I’m like, we’re going to break this iPhone, but this one’s married and wants to talk to her. This one’s married. I’m single. I am committing. Maximum effort. I am diving in. And I almost broke my hand grabbing the phone. We talked for about 40 minutes on FaceTime,” recalled the SHR co-owner with a smile on his face. 

WATCH THIS STORY: Tony Stewart’s unyielding spirit: A NASCAR legend’s rebuttal 

The NASCAR and IndyCar champion then revealed the tale behind the first date with his wife.

Stewart explains how “it started,” revealing his first meetup with Pruett

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After the veteran detailed how he had to fight over his former competitors to talk to the NHRA racer, Stewart briefly mentioned the following events of how the couple went for their first date after they met each other in person at an auto park retailers meeting. While doing so, Stewart exuded pride and affection, revealing how he was punctual for the very first time in his life to meet Leah.

He said, “Literally, the first time we physically met each other was at a manager’s meeting for one of the auto park retailers and I never get anywhere early, I’m always late, damn it for everything, I got half hour early, Leah got there 20 mins early and we were in the green room together and you know that’s where it started and we went on our first date at Gainesville, literally the Monday of the week that Friday Covid shut everything down.” 

READ MORE: Tony Stewart Confesses Falling Prey to the Intimidator’s Mockery After Soul-Sucking Indy-Charlotte Double Debut

Afterwards the whole pandemic happened, which got the veteran stuck, stretching his four-day getaway into a four-and-a-half month vacation with Pruett. And now the couple are on their merry way, eager to start a family.