Darland resting at home 2001-09-26

LINCOLN, Ind., Sept. 26 USAC star Dave Darland, a prime candidate for the Indy Racing Northern Light series, continues to make remarkable progress after receiving a closed head injury and a bruised lung in a five-car flip during the USAC Stoops Freightliner sprint car feature last Saturday night at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio.

Darland was discharged from Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio on Tuesday. He was also examined at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis that evening before returning to his home in Lincoln, Ind.

He was airlifted to Miami Valley Hospital the night of the accident after initial evaluation and treatment at Coldwater (Ohio) Medical Center. He was originally listed in serious condition in the intensive care unit. By Sunday night he was awake, alert and talking to family members and friends, and by Monday he was unsuccessfully lobbying to get permission from his wife to compete in the USAC Coors Lite Silver Bullet race at the Indiana Fairgrounds this coming Friday night, Sept. 28.

Darland plans to undergo some therapy on an out-patient basis and he's optimistic that he'll be back racing in a matter of weeks. He is the current point leader in both the USAC Stoops Freightliner sprint car series and the USAC MCI Worldcom national midget series.

The prognosis is for a complete recovery.

The accident occurred on lap 16 of the 30-lap sprint car feature that was part of Eldora's 21st annual Four-Crown Nationals. Darland was running second at the time. The other drivers involved Kevin Thomas, Nick Naber, Dickie Gaines and Mike Brecht did not require hospitalization.

Get-well cards and letters and donations to help Darland and his family while he recuperates may be mailed to P.O. Box 188, Walton, Ind. 46994.

-DDR-