Sienna Wildgust keeps her cool in NHRA Pro Stock rookie season By Kelly Wade

“ It was a little bit overwhelming , running with some of the biggest names in the sport , but every single person has been super nice and welcoming , and that ’ s made the journey really incredible for me ,” says Wildgust , who made history as the youngest female to debut in NHRA Pro Stock at the age of 17 . She became the youngest driver to ever qualify for a Pro Stock race when she made the field at the Pomona Winternationals .

Wildgust , a competitive hockey player who hails from Ontario , Canada , began racing Jr . Dragsters when she was eight years old . Her first step into the world of “ big cars ” was in a 1968 Camaro that she began bracket racing shortly after her 16th birthday . Her heart was always in Pro Stock , however , and through a family friendship with KB Titan Racing ’ s Eric Latino , she found opportunity . Nothing in drag racing comes free , though , and Wildgust has been active in finding partners to make her dream come true .

“ At KB Titan , the drivers are in charge of finding their own marketing partners , and that means me ,” she explains . “ I ’ m starting to get the hang of it . I ’ ve always been an outgoing , talkative person ,

but now I ’ m getting more confident . My parents , Scott and Stacey , are involved and give me really good ideas , but they make it up to me to reach out and follow through .”

Although critical , the financial aspect of racing is only one piece of it . Wildgust has also had to learn how to drive one of the most challenging style cars in the 500-cubic-inch , drop-the-clutch class . It ’ s a lot of weight and responsibility for a young girl , but she ’ s found inspiration from those already well-established in the sport .

Greg Anderson , the most winning driver in the history of the category , founded the team with Ken Black in the early 2000s , and he is partowner of what has become KB Titan Racing . The five-time champion is also still actively and successfully competing , and Wildgust shares a pit

with him . She ’ s also racing against one of the most successful women in the sport , six-time and reigning world champion Erica Enders , whose perseverance paved the way for females in Pro Stock .

“ In Gainesville , when I was getting out of my car , Erica Enders came up and gave me a hug , welcomed me , and told me that I was doing a really good job ,” says Wildgust . “ She told me to stay confident and positive . That was really good , seeing two females in the sport supporting each other .

“ And I ’ ve learned a lot from Greg about keeping it calm . He doesn ’ t really get excited about anything , and he ’ s given me great advice about driving the car , tips , and tricks . But probably the biggest thing he taught me is patience .”

Wildgust has had to lean into that patience as she continues the hunt for partners to fund her Pro Stock dream , but what she ’ s already experienced has kept the fire lit beneath her . And in the midst of an intense season in which sparks have flown between rival teams KB Titan Racing and Elite Motorsports , Wildgust has found it easy to keep her cool .

“ I ’ ve always just kept an open mind to both sides of it ,” she says . “ I have good friends at Elite and amazing friends at KB [ Titan ]. I have always just kept open to everybody and haven ’ t had any bad experiences , and I am really looking forward to being back .

“ It ’ s a challenge to step away while I ’ m creating the partnerships that will take us through this season and also 2025 , but I go to the gym every day , keep track of what ’ s happening with the races , eat well , and keep working ,” she continues . “ It ’ s incredible to be part of Pro Stock and running with the competitors and teammates that I get to run with . It ’ s also very awesome to meet the fans – especially the little girls and the younger generation that ’ s excited about the future of drag racing . I ’ m just grateful to be part of it .” DI

PHOTOGRAPHS BY RICK BELDEN AND NHRA

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Issue 189