William Neely Category: Person Wikipedia: William Neely Born: 18 August 1930 Died: 25 March 2008 Description: An author and sports writer. Most famous for his novel Stand On It: A Novel by Stroker Ace, he also co-wrote multiple autobiographies of iconic race car drivers. Page Sections: Biography · Bibliography |
The following section is an excerpt from Wikipedia's William Neely page on 30 May 2024, text available via the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
He was born in Jane Lew, West Virginia, the son of Walter and Madge Neely. After high school, Neely graduated West Virginia Wesleyan College, completing a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. He spent a year (1952–1953) pursuing graduate work at West Virginia University.
He served as sports editor of the Clarksburg Exponent and editor of the Hinton Daily News before returning to his alma mater as director of public relation. Neely went to work for the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, serving as manager of racing public relations from 1961 to 1966. In 1966, he left Goodyear to work as public relations manager of central region for Humble Oil Company, a position he held until 1970. Neely retired in 1970 to concentrate on writing full-time. His first book, Spirit of America, was published in 1971.
Bill Neely's best-known work was published in 1973, Stand on It by Stroker Ace, co-written by Bob Ottum. The novel, based in part on Neely's own experiences as a professional auto racer and on his experiences in the racing world with Goodyear and in part on NASCAR legend Curtis Turner, became quite popular for its gritty humor and its pull-no-punches depictions of the world of professional stock car racing. The novel was adapted into a 1983 film, Stroker Ace, starring Burt Reynolds and Loni Anderson. It also inspired a song, "Stoker's Theme", by Charlie Daniels.
Neely continued to write, particularly about the world of American stock car racing. Notable works include biographies of two of the sports founding pioneers — Cale: The Hazardous Life and Times of America's Greatest Stock Car Driver (Cale Yarborough) and King Richard I (Richard Petty). He has also served as a contributor to both Playboy and Sports Illustrated. Neely was the first recipient of the West Virginia Writers Association "Summit Award", for a "lifetime of excellence as a professional writer."
He also starred in I Know What You Did Last Summer, Matlock, and The Night Flier.
Title & Subtitle | Details |
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Grand NationalThe Autobiography of Richard Petty | Year & Type: 1971 Nonfiction Author: Richard Petty as told to Bill Neely Publisher: Henry Regnery Company Dimensions: 5.75" x 8.5" hardcover w/jacket Content: 212 pages with black & white photographs Subject: Stock Car Racing Availability: Reference Desk |
Stand On ItA Novel by Stroker Ace | Year & Type: 1973 Fiction Authors: William Neely & Robert K. Ottum Subject: Open Wheel Racing |
A.J.The Life of America's Greatest Race Car Driver | Year & Type: 1983 Nonfiction Author: A.J. Foyt with William Neely Foreword: William Neely Publisher: Times Books Dimensions: 5.75" x 8.5" hardcover w/jacket Content: 234 pages with black & white photo section ISBN: 0-8129-1077-X Subject: Open Wheel Racing Topic: A.J. Foyt Availability: Reference Desk |
CaleThe Hazardous Life and Times of The World's Greatest Stock Car Driver | Year & Type: 1986 Nonfiction Author: Cale Yarborough with William Neely Foreword: Bill Neely Publisher: Times Books Dimensions: 5.75" x 8.5" hardcover w/jacket Content: 246 pages with black & white photographs ISBN: 0-8129-1261-6 Subject: Stock Car Racing Availability: Reference Desk |