Former NASCAR Racer Back in Jail

A former NASCAR driver, arrested May 17 in a high- speed chase that ended with his Corvette breaking down, was back behind bars Tuesday on suspicion of attempted rape.

James Edward Neal, 56, of San Clemente, was released from an Orange  County jail about 1:30 a.m. Monday and arrested at the home of an acquaintance  less than five hours later, sheriff's spokesman Jim Amormino said.

"He was released and went to the home of a 55-year-old woman whom he  had met just one time before," Amormino said.

Deputies were sent to her apartment in the 20700 block of El Toro Road  in Lake Forest about 6 a.m. when they got a report that a man and woman were  fighting.

"The woman said James Neal had attempted to rape her and would not  leave," Amormino said. "He is being charged with attempted rape and false  imprisonment, and this was 4-1/2 hours after being released from jail."

Neal complained of chest pains and was taken to Mission Hospital. He was  later transferred to the Orange County Jail, the spokesman said.

Last month, deputies tried to stop Neal for not having a front license  plate in San Clemente, but the former racer allegedly roared off down Interstate 5 in his  Chevrolet Corvette, reaching speeds of 140 mph across Camp Pendleton and  northern San Diego County.

Deputies and CHP officers gave up on the chase because of a danger to  motorists. But Neal was spotted on the side of the freeway with a blown engine  and arrested.

Neal pleaded guilty to misdemeanor evading while driving recklessly and  served about two weeks until he was released early Monday.

Neal competed in NASCAR events in the early 1980s.

He was in Central Men's Jail in Santa Ana today, with bail at $1 million.

Copyright City News Service

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