Top Fuel’s Leah Pruett Closing In On Win Approaching NHRA Southern Nationals

ADEL, GA – April 30, 2026 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – 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 Drag Racing Series.

Heading to South Georgia Motorsports Park 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’s 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 12,000-horsepower American Rebel Beer dragster for Tony Stewart Racing 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.”

This weekend’s NHRA Southern Nationals marks NHRA’s historic first visit to South Georgia Motorsports Park and the first of the four new facilities added to the 2026 NHRA season. The race will be broadcast on FS1, including eliminations coverage at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday. It is the fifth of 20 races during the 2026 season and this weekend will feature a host of 75th anniversary events, including:

• An appearance from NHRA legend and three-time Top Fuel world champion “Big Daddy” Don Garlits, as well as NHRA legend Darrell Gwynn.
• A celebration of Garlits’ historic career and his passion for innovation, engineering and advancing the sport of drag racing.
• On Friday, a free, limited-edition NHRA pennant will be given to the first 3,500 fans in attendance.
• A new-look Nitro Mall, special displays and more.

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.”

Ron Capps is the Funny Car points leader, but he’ll be challenged by a loaded field that includes four-time world champ Matt Hagan, J.R. Todd, Gainesville winner Chad Green, Cruz Pedregon, Daniel Wilkerson and Spencer Hyde.

Reigning Pro Stock champion Dallas Glenn currently leads the points over his KB Titan Racing teammate and six-time world champion Greg Anderson. The two have wins on the season, while Matt Hartford has two wins from Gainesville and Charlotte.

Pro Stock Motorcycle reigning champ Richard Gadson leading the way after winning in Gainesville. Charlotte winner Gaige Herrea is second, while others to watch will be John Hall, Chase Van Sant, Jianna Evaristo and six-time world champ Matt Smith.

The race festivities kick off at 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, April 30, with a “Rev & Rally” race weekend preparty and fanfest from Visit Valdosta at the Rainwater Conference Center. Fans can meet a host of their favorite NHRA drivers, enjoy live music, enter a free raffle with prizes including a pair of tickets to the NHRA Southern Nationals and much more.

The NHRA Southern Nationals will also feature the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Elite Motorsports and the Summit Racing Equipment Jr. Drag Racing League Shootout.

Race fans at South Georgia Motorsports Park can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that introduce each driver and includes the fan favorite SealMaster Track Walk. They are also invited to congratulate the event winners at the winner’s circle celebration on Sunday.

As always, fans get a pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. Fans can see their favorite teams in action and servicing their cars, get autographs and more. They can also visit NHRA’s Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and vendors create an exciting atmosphere.

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. For more information about the NHRA, visit www.nhra.com.

About Mission Foods

MISSION®, owned by GRUMA, S.A.B. de C.V., is the world’s leading brand for tortillas and wraps. MISSION® is also globally renowned for flatbreads, dips, salsas and Mexican food products. With presence in over 112 countries, MISSION® products are suited to the lifestyles and the local tastes of each country. With innovation and customer needs in mind, MISSION® focuses on the highest quality, authentic flavors, and providing healthy options that families and friends can enjoy together. For more information, please visit https://www.missionfoods.com/

About NHRA

NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 20 national events featuring the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Elite Motorsports and NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown™ at select national events. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and NHRA Street Legal™. NHRA also offers the NHRA Jr. Street® program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League® for youth ages 5 to 17. With more than 100 Member Tracks, NHRA allows racers to compete at a variety of locations nationally and internationally. NHRA’s Youth and Education Services® (YES) Program reaches over 30,000 students annually to ignite their interest in automotive and racing related careers. NHRA’s streaming service, NHRA.tv®, allows fans to view all NHRA national events as well as exclusive features of the sport. In addition, NHRA owns and operates three racing facilities: Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park; and In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Southern California. For more information, log on to www.NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

Source: National Hot Rod Association 

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