Fri, 22 Nov 2002, 09:21 AM Headed Home to Indiana

By Phil Burgess, NHRASportCompact.com Photo copyright 2002 BME Photography

John Lingenfelter's condition has improved so significantly following his Oct. 27 crash in Pomona, Calif., that doctors at Pomona Valley Medical Center have allowed him be flown back to his homestate of Indiana to continue his rehabilitation. He is expected to arrive later today and check into an Indianapolis-area hospital.

John Lingenfelter

"His recovery is still progressing," said Tom Cress of Lingenfelter Performance Engineering. "We're anxious to have John back closer to home and allow the doctors here to continue the work begun in California."

Lingenfelter was removed Saturday from the ventilator that had been helping him breathe since receiving a punctured lung in the accident and was able to whisper some words to family and friends.

Lingenfelter will receive treatment from renowned surgeon Dr. Terry Trammell, who has treated race drivers such as NHRA Top Fuel champions Shirley Muldowney and Tony Schumacher and open-wheel racers such as Rick Mears and, most recently and most dramatically, Alex Zanardi, who lost both legs in a race in Germany last Fall.

"He's going to be in great hands," said Cress.