Arizona Nationals in Phoenix , where she earned her first win in the class one year prior .

At just 17 years old , Sienna Wildgust made history at the season-opening NHRA Gatornationals this past March when she made her Pro Stock debut driving for KB Titan Racing . She ’ s struggled with DNQs or first-round exits , and she sat out four midseason races to switch over to Elite Motorsports . The daughter of Pro Mod veteran Scott Wildgust , Sienna is an NHRA Rookie of the Year contender this season .

Class leaders like Dallas Glenn ( 33 ), Aaron Stanfield ( 29 ), and Troy Coughlin Jr . ( 33 ) also contribute to a lower average age in the class .

Former Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Cory Reed made the switch to Pro Stock this season , racing to his first final round in just his second start at the Sonoma Nationals . Pro Mod veteran Eric Latino also recently joined the class , as did Texas businessman Brandon Foster and Oklahoma-based former Top Sportsman racer Jerry Tucker . Brandon Miller , a 21-year-old who won the NHRA Top Sportsman world title last year , has dabbled in Pro Stock , and Elite Motorsports crew member Kelley Murphy lived a childhood dream when he made his debut in the class at the Gatornationals earlier this year .

Racing in the NHRA ’ s “ factory hot rod ” class remains a dream opportunity for many racers , and thanks to the infrastructure developed by teams like Elite and KB Titan over the last several years , it ’ s more accessible than maybe ever before .

Today , Pro Stock is thriving with full 16-car fields and then some at most races . Drivers are still rowing gears , but the carburetor has been replaced by EFI . And while living legends like Greg Anderson , Jeg Coughlin Jr ., and Erica Enders remain championship-contending participants , they ’ re also joined by a youthful group of newcomers .

Fernando Cuadra Sr ., who raced Pro Stock in the early 2000s , stepped away to focus on his business , then returned to competition in 2018 , brought his young sons along with him . Fernando Jr . ( 28 ) and Cristian ( 25 ) have each competed in more than 70 NHRA national events , while David ( 25 ) became the first Mexican driver to win an NHRA national event in Top Sportsman before moving up to Pro Stock . The Cuadra team races under the Elite Motorsports banner .

Like the Cuadra twins , third-generation racer Mason McGaha , 22 , has competed in 70-plus events as a teammate to his father , Chris McGaha , on the Harlow Sammons team .

Another generational racer , 26-year-old Camrie Caruso , started her third season in Pro Stock this year but was quickly sidelined by a crash at the

Mason McGaha

Sienna Wildgust

David Cuadra

Over in Pro Stock Motorcycle , a similar new wave of young talent is developing . After running a handful of races in 2022 , Gaige Herrera , 30 , ran the full season in 2023 riding for the iconic Vance & Hines team . He won the world championship , then continued winning this season , setting an NHRA all-time record for the most consecutive wins at 11 .

The rider who broke his streak is 27-year-old Chase Van Sant , who made his debut in 2023 . And while a veteran in numerous other motorcycle classes , 38-year-old Richard Gadson is a Rookie of the Year contender racing as Herrera ’ s teammate . Jianna Evaristo , who made her debut in 2019 , is also one of the young standouts in the class at 27 .

A handful of young riders also started the licensing process over the summer , suggesting there ’ s going to be a steady stream of rookies destined for Pro Stock Motorcycle . – NATE VAN WAGNEN DI

Jianna Evaristo Chase Van Sant

PHOTOGRAPHS BY DAVID BEITLER , NHRA

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