Sienna Wildgust is a third-generation drag racer from Stratford, Ontario, who became the youngest female driver in NHRA Pro Stock history when she made her debut at age 17 in 2024.

EARLY YEARS

Born June 9, 2006, Sienna Wildgust grew up immersed in the world of drag racing. Racing runs deep in the Wildgust family—her father, Scott Wildgust, has been racing since he was eighteen and competes in Pro Stock, while her grandfather, Paul Martin, is a longtime Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitor. Like many kids from Stratford (well, nearby Sebringville to be precise), she attended high school, giggled a lot, and was admittedly a bit bashful. Unlike her peers, however, she spent her weekends hurling down quarter-mile strips at speeds most teenagers only dream about while playing video games.

The competitive fire was lit early. “I was trying to convince my dad to let me race my sister Avery’s car when I was 7,” Wildgust recalled at the 2023 NHRA U.S. Nationals. She didn’t get her way immediately, but once she started racing at age 8, there was no looking back. Her natural competitive edge was further sharpened on the ice as a hockey player—because apparently, one high-adrenaline sport just wasn’t enough.

OTHER INTERESTS

In addition to drag racing, Wildgust played competitive hockey, which honed her competitive instincts and mental toughness. She came up through the NHRA Jr. Dragster Racing ranks alongside her sister Avery, much like six-time Pro Stock champion Erica Enders did with her sister Courtney—a parallel that would prove meaningful later in her career.

EARLY SUCCESS

Wildgust cut her teeth bracket racing before making the jump to Pro Stock. She earned her NHRA Pro Stock license in early 2024 and wasted no time putting it to use. At just 17 years old, she made her Pro Stock debut at the NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville in March 2024, officially becoming the youngest female driver in NHRA Pro Stock history. She concedes the “youngest-ever in her class” distinction by mere days to Jo Nuñez, but she owns the female record outright.

Her rookie season kicked off with KB Titan Racing, where she competed in six races before a mid-season shakeup changed everything. In June 2024, Wildgust made the bold decision to switch teams and join Elite Motorsports, a move that blindsided her KB Titan Racing crew and even shocked Greg Anderson, one of the sport’s most respected veterans. The announcement came just before the NHRA Northwest Nationals in Seattle, where she made her Elite debut representing Cuadra in a freshly branded Pro Stock Camaro.

The move to Elite put her under the mentorship of Erica Enders, the six-time Pro Stock champion who saw something of herself in the young Canadian. “I believe I can learn a lot from her. I’m excited to have her as a mentor and have her help me further my career,” Wildgust said of Enders. It was a smart pairing—both women came up through Jr. Dragster ranks with their sisters, and both understood what it meant to prove yourself in a male-dominated sport.

Throughout her 2024 rookie season, Wildgust steadily improved. She reset her career-best speed in Sonoma, clocking 210.77 mph, and remained a serious contender for the NHRA Rookie of the Year Award. While she didn’t take home that title—Tony Stewart, yes, that Tony Stewart, won it at age 53—she finished the regular season as a legitimate competitor and maintained the highest points ranking among her fellow Pro Stock rookies. Not bad for a teenager who was still deciding what to wear to prom.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2024: Became the youngest female driver in NHRA Pro Stock history with her debut at the NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville at age 17[1].
• 2024: Earned NHRA Pro Stock license and competed in first six races with KB Titan Racing[2].
• 2024: Joined Elite Motorsports in June, debuting with the team at the NHRA Northwest Nationals in Seattle[3].
• 2024: Reset career-best speed at Sonoma with a 210.77 mph pass[4].
• 2024: Competed as a Rookie of the Year Award candidate throughout the season[5].
• 2024: Finished the regular season with the highest points ranking among Pro Stock rookies[6].

INSPIRATIONS

Wildgust draws inspiration from her family’s deep racing roots. Her father Scott and grandfather Paul Martin both instilled in her a love for the sport and a fierce competitive streak. Since joining Elite Motorsports, she’s also found a mentor in Erica Enders, whose career path mirrors her own in many ways. The parallels between the two—both coming up through Jr. Dragster with their sisters—created an instant connection that has helped guide Wildgust through the intense learning curve of Pro Stock racing.

REPUTATION

Wildgust has earned respect in the NHRA paddock for her composure and maturity behind the wheel, especially considering her age. The decision to switch teams mid-season raised eyebrows—Greg Anderson openly admitted he was “shocked”—but it also demonstrated a level of self-awareness and ambition rare in rookies. She’s known for being bashful and giggly off the track, but once the helmet goes on, she’s all business. Her ability to handle a 1,400-horsepower Pro Stock car at over 210 mph while still navigating high school is the kind of multitasking that earns admiration even from hardened veterans.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

Wildgust continues to compete with Elite Motorsports in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. With a full rookie season under her belt and the mentorship of Erica Enders behind her, she’s focused on building consistency, racking up wins, and proving that her 2024 debut was just the beginning. She’s got the pedigree, the team, and the talent—now it’s just a matter of putting it all together.

REFERENCES

[1] NHRA – Sienna Wildgust Driver Profile
[2] Elite Motorsports – Sienna Wildgust
[3] Elite Motorsports – Sienna Wildgust Makes Elite Motorsports Debut
[4] NHRA – License in Hand, Sienna Wildgust is Pro Stock’s Youngest Female Driver
[5] NHRA – The Battle Rages On for 2024 NHRA Rookie of the Year Honors
[6] Autoweek – Sienna Wildgust Blindsides Her KB Titan Racing NHRA Team