Notable Lewis Countians
William Neely
1930–2008
A Jane Lew-born writer of racing and motorsports books whose novel Stand on It became the basis for the 1983 film Stroker Ace. Neely was born in Jane Lew before his writing career became closely associated with American automobile racing.
Lewis County connection
Neely was born in Jane Lew before his writing career became closely associated with American automobile racing.
The Louis Bennett Library in the historic Jonathan M. Bennett House, photographed in 2015.
Carol M. Highsmith, Library of Congress, LC-DIG-highsm-31650 · Public domain; no known restrictions on publication
Lewis County connection
Neely was born in Jane Lew before his writing career became closely associated with American automobile racing.
Career and public significance
A Jane Lew-born writer of racing and motorsports books whose novel Stand on It became the basis for the 1983 film Stroker Ace.
He helped translate stock-car culture into biography, humor, fiction, and eventually a major studio film.
Reading the record carefully
The film is an adaptation rather than a direct transcription of the novel; bibliography and screen credits are kept distinct.
Life and legacy
Timeline
1930
Born in Jane Lew.
1973
Publishes Stand on It with Bob Ottum.
1983
Stroker Ace reaches theaters as an adaptation.
2008
Dies in Delaware.
Sources and further reading
How this profile was documented
- Timeless Weston
City of Weston
Starting source for biographical dates, offices, achievements, and the Lewis County connection.
- William Neely bibliography
WorldCat
Starting source for biographical dates, offices, achievements, and the Lewis County connection.
Share this biography
Pass it along to neighbors, group chats, or whoever still reads the whole article.
