Former NASCAR racer accused of leading California deputies on 50-mile high-speed chase

Former NASCAR racer jailed after high-speed chase

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. — The driver of a Corvette who is accused of leading deputies in California on a high-speed chase for nearly 50 miles is a former NASCAR racer.

James Neal was arrested in San Diego County early Monday, and the 56-year-old San Clemente resident was booked into Orange County Jail, where bail is set at $25,000.

Sheriff’s Lt. Mike Jansen says San Clemente deputies tried to pull over the 2003 Corvette for a traffic violation at about 3 a.m. but Neal refused to stop and raced along Interstate 5 to San Diego County at speeds up to 130 mph.

The Corvette’s engine blew up in the La Jolla area and deputies arrested him without a struggle.

NASCAR officials say Neal was a NASCAR track racer at the old Ascot Park track in Gardena in the early 1980s. He never won a national race.