ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. (June 3)

The competitive spirit in KLR Group Chevy Cobalt driver Erica Enders makes it impossible to take any solace in losing.  But after falling in the semifinals of the Toyota NHRA SuperNationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park on Sunday, Enders knows the future is bright for her GK Motorsports team.

"You've got to look at the positives in everything," Enders said. "Every run, we made progress. We were consistent."

Enders had a spring in her step in Englishtown, confident she could secure her first career Pro Stock victory. Her confidence rose after a first-round win over Kurt Johnson, when she cut a .008-second reaction time and then outran him with a pass of 6.542 seconds at 211.20 mph.

Enders was to face Vincent Nobile in the second round but got a free pass to the semifinals when Nobile was a no-show after an engine failure.

"I had a good feeling all weekend about it," Enders said. "So did my guys.  I was .008 first round and made a pretty nice run. Vincent was a no-show second round. That was our lucky break.

"But we ran into Jason in the semis. Just one of those deals. We got beat by the best. We really don't have anything to hang our heads about. We've got a great car, and I'm driving well."

Afterward, as she signed autographs, Enders was encouraged by fans who told her the first win is coming.

The difference between Enders and the top of the Pro Stock field has shrunk, and Enders knows it.