SAN CLEMENTE, Calif., May 19 (UPI) -- Former professional race car driver James Neal has pleaded guilty to reckless driving for leading police on a 140 mph chase in California, authorities say.
Neal, 56, of San Clemente was arrested early Monday and booked at Orange County Jail following a 50-mile police pursuit on Interstate 5 that ended near La Jolla when his 2003 Corvette sports car's engine blew up, KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, reported.
Sheriff's Lt. Mike Jansen told KTLA that San Clemente deputies tried to pull over Neal for a traffic violation but he kept speeding along the interstate.
Neal pleaded guilty Tuesday to misdemeanor felony evasion while driving recklessly and was sentenced to a month in jail and probation, the Los Angeles TV station said.
Neal was a regional NASCAR track racer in the early 1980s, the race association said.
