Mark Cassella is a proud man with a dream he believes will come true.

Cassella was a successful Sprint car driver, winning the Lernerville Speedway points championships in 1989 and '94, as well as four titles at Knox Speedway, before he made the big move to compete in the USAC Sprint Car class.

While racing at Terre Haute, Ind., 13 years ago, Mark was involved in a nasty Wingless Sprint car accident in which his roll cage collapsed.

The result was severe head trauma and the loss of vision in his right eye. Four years later, in 2001, Cassella returned to Tri-City Speedway and won a feature.

The emotional Cassella said, "I still love the sport, I have never officially retired."

Cassella, 50, lives a modest life in Weirton, W.Va., and works as a dealer at the Meadows Racetrack and Casino.

Although Cassella drives a car and occasionally rides a motorcycle, he has spent years trying to figure out how to correct the damage done to his optic nerve.

Finally, he has found a possible remedy. Researching stem cells cures, the operation fee would be $20,000 and take 30 days in China or $15,000 plus expenses and five days of treatment in Düsseldorf, Germany.

Cassella is taking one of the biggest risks of his life Labor Day weekend by going to Germany, where they will use his own cells for the procedure.

To help him out, friends Tim Guzzo and Mark Theiss are conducting an auction at the Route 322 East Clarion Variety Furniture Store Aug. 28. They are looking for any autographed items or any new objects that can be auctioned.

Pocono Raceway has sent two pairs of tickets to a race, and 300 raffle tickets will go on sale at $5 a piece or three for $10 for the Cassella Fund at Lernerville Friday night.

"Racing people are my family," Cassella said.

Call Theiss at 814-764-6200 or 814-221-8988 details.

In other racing news:

• After spending several weeks in the burn unit of UPMC Mercy Hospital recuperating from a fiery Lernerville Sprint crash, Charlie Holben is home. He will continue to receive rehabilitation and still could use some words of encouragement. Cards can be sent to 117 Keasey Road, Cabot PA 16023.

Charlie had a first outing Saturday at the Big Butler Fair. He thanks the Roenigk family for escorting him in and placing him backstage where no one could bump into him. He is hoping to catch a race soon from his car if the weather isn't too hot.

• Martha Dionese, who owns the Sprint car that Holben drove, was distraught about Holben's accident. But several Sprint drivers offered to help her put the Dionese purple No. 15 back together.

Brent and Brandon Matus took it to their shop. Ralph Spithaler, Danny Holtgraver, Arnie Kent and many others helped to restore the car.

On its first outing at Mercer Speedway, Kent, subbing for Holben, won the heat race.

• Danny Holtgraver was lightening fast at the Pittsburgh's Pennsylvania Motor Speedway's Sprint invitational Saturday. He defeated the crafty veteran Ed Lynch Jr for his first win there, collecting $2,500 for the victory.

• Congratulations to Late Model driver Dan Swartzlander on his recent impressive victory at Dog Hollow Speedway in his new Rocket Chassis. It had been 15 years since his last big win at Challenger Raceway.

Carol Gamble is the racing columnist for the Butler Eagle.