Enders runs in season finale despite illness

POMONA, Calif. (Nov. 12) -- An ailing Erica Enders made the call for her first-round elimination run at the Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA finals Sunday despite being diagnosed with flu-like symptoms only one day earlier.

Enders awoke Saturday with a fever and nausea but still managed to put the Revive-USA Dodge Stratus in the 14th spot, tripping the quarter-mile timers at 6.710 seconds at 205.69 mph. Her first-round opponent was Allen Johnson, who qualified third at the legendary Pomona strip with a 6.686-second scoot at 206.07-mph.

"Our crew chief, David Nickens, gave me a great tune-up today but, as it turned out, I was the one who needed a tune-up," Enders said. "Not being 100-percent on race day is a miserable feeling and I just wasn't on my game. I've never experienced anything like this before. There's not much you can do but try your best to get through it."

Enders' day came to an early end as Johnson made it to the 1,320-foot mark first with a 6.676 at 206.70 mph to Enders 6.713-second, 206.51-second effort.

Team owner Gregg Enders felt the day was over too soon. "Erica learned some valuable lessons about racing, adherence to rules and procedures, and human nature today," Enders said, alluding to Johnson's questionable tactics at the starting line, where he ignored an NHRA official prior to making his run. "She'll be back next year better than ever and will have plenty of opportunities to do a better job under whatever situations arise in this unique environment."

Enders finishes the 2006 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing season 13th in points. The 2006 NHRA awards ceremony will be held Monday night in Palm Springs, Calif.