From the top, Grace Howell, Steve Kent, Mike Edwards and Erica Enders.  (Ron Lewis photo)

Enders, gunning to become the first female winner in Pro Stock history, had a stellar day at zMax. She was fastest in her first-round matchup against Mike Edwards, Grace Howell and Steve Kent, advancing to the semifinals with a pass of 6.598 seconds at 209.59 mph.

Racing Jason Line, Jeg Coughlin and Edwards in the semis, Enders left first with a .017-second reaction time and got to the line first to advance to her first final round of 2012.

There, she left first again with a .016 light. With Line's red light, and Nobile's tire shake, the race came down to Enders and Anderson, and Anderson ran her down with a pass of 6.540 seconds at 212.23 mph, edging Enders' run of 6.608 at 210.93 mph. The margin of victory was about a half-car length, and a malfunction prevented Anderson's win light from coming on.

"It was a really weird, confusing deal, but he did win," Enders said. "He ran a great lap, and it was evident on the replay. Light malfunction or not, he won the race, and that's all there is to it. It sucks that it was such a roller coaster of emotion for a team that's worked so hard to make history. To think you have it, and have it taken away in an instant is difficult to swallow."

Enders, in the far left lane, had .037 seconds in the bank on the Christmas Tree on the starting line.