Erica Enders is giving Sienna Wildgust the playbook to success in the NHRA.
“She’s going to have access to what I know and what I’ve been through,” Enders (pictured at right, above, with Wildgust) told RACER ahead of Saturday’s announcement that Wildgust has joined Elite Motorsports. “She’ll get all of our data and Mark Ingersoll’s playbook, too. So, she’s starting with the best tools, and I think that’s all anyone could ever ask for.”
Wildgust, who turned 18 earlier this month, will be under the wing of Enders, championship crew chief Ingersoll, team owner Richard Freeman and the rest of the Elite Motorsports team. It’s a move for Wildgust from one championship-winning organization, KB Titan Racing, to another. A move rooted in resources and family connection.
Wildgust’s father, Scott, has been a customer and friend of Freeman’s for quite some time and its well-known Elite Motorsports operates its large organization with a fun, close-knit, family atmosphere. Wildgust also looks up to Enders, the six-time Pro Stock champion and winningest woman in motorsports.
“She’s young and impressionable, and she hasn’t been tainted by the sport yet,” Enders said. “It’s kind of like a clean slate. She doesn’t have many bad habits yet, from what I’ve seen, because I watch a lot up there. She does a very nice job. She does better burnouts than half of the class that have been doing it for a really long time. So, she has a great baseline, and we at Elite can be a great asset to her.”
“I’ve had many interactions with Erica and usually, it’s at the top end when I get out of my car,” Wildgust told RACER. “She’s always at my door, giving me a hug and saying she’s proud of me. That’s one of the biggest things — she was always there. We were on two different teams, so that was huge for her to come up to me and make me feel proud about what I’m doing. I know some of them, but I’m excited to join the family and get to know everybody better.”
Regardless of gender, Enders embraces competition. But there is no denying that being a female in a male-dominated profession makes it easier for Enders and Wildgust to relate and for Enders, it provides a chance to hopefully make someone else’s path easier than what her own was.
“I’m confident this can be a really good partnership, and I can be a mentor and friend to her,” Enders said. “People made my journey hard on purpose, and it took me over a decade to find my people. But when I found them, we lit the world on fire from the start. That shows how important it is to surround yourself with the right group because it allows you to do your job much easier. I feel like our group is the best, and that’s why I’ve been here for 11 years and will finish my career here.
“I’ve been through a lot on and off the racetrack and business side. I have a lot that I’ve been through that I can teach and help Sienna with, and maybe that’s something that will be beneficial, whereas another driver might not understand what she’s going through.”
Wildgust wholeheartedly agreed. She said it’s one of the primary reasons — along with the resources — that she wanted to move to Elite.
“She’s been doing it for 20 years, so she’s seen it all and been through it all, and she’s paved the way for the newer females coming in, including me,” Wildgust said. “I’m excited to get her insight and learn from her.”
It will be important to remember the process of a career path. Wildgust might have all the tools at her fingertips, but success will come through time and effort.
