Butch Jelley

Butch Jelley
Born	Clarence Jelley July 2, 1940 Rockville, Connecticut
Died	May 1, 2020(2020-05-01) (aged 79)
Modified racing career
Debut season	1957
Championships	1
Finished last season	2005

Clarence "Butch" Jelley (July 2, 1940 – May 1, 2020) was an American dirt modified racing driver. Known for driving car number "Y" with a cartoon character devil painted on the side, and later car number "X" featuring a skunk mascot, he was always a favorite of the younger race fans.[1][2][3]

Racing career

Butch Jelley began racing jalopies at the Claremont Speedway in New Hampshire in 1957. By 1960 he was racing modifieds, claiming the Lebanon Valley Speedway rookie of the year award, and going on to win 31 feature events at the track over his career.[1][2]

During his career Jelley competed successfully at the renowned tracks of the northeast, including Albany-Saratoga Speedway NY, Fonda Speedway NY, Langhorne Speedway PA, Mid-State Speedway NY, and the Syracuse Mile NY.[4][5][6][7] He was the 1975 track champion at Devil's Bowl Speedway VT.[1]

Butch Jelley was inducted into the Northeast Dirt Modified and the New York State Stock Car Association Halls of Fame.[1][2][3]

References

1. "Clarence 'Butch' Jelley, 79". Speed Sport. May 2, 2020. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
2. Therrien, Jim (May 29, 2020). "Lebanon Valley community mourns Butch Jelley, and waits to see if there will be a 2020 racing season". The Berkshire Eagle. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
3. Howley, Dan (April 6, 2005). "Track through DIRT lead to Hall of Fame". The Times Union. p. F7. Retrieved March 4, 2024 – via NewsBank.
4. Harrington, Charlie (August 27, 1969). "Butch Jelley Gains Starting Spot In Famed Langhorn 200 Mile Stock Classic". Bennington Banner. p. 12. Retrieved February 29, 2024 – via NewspaperArchive.
5. "Newcomers share loot in Mid-State program". The Daily Star. July 19, 1971. p. 13. Retrieved February 29, 2024 – via NewspaperArchive.
6. "Wilson loses duel with Jelley". The Evening News. September 14, 1971. p. 7B. Retrieved February 29, 2024 – via Google Books.
7. Boggie, Tom (July 21, 2001). "Jelley bests Camara to get first Malta win". The Daily Gazette. p. D5. Retrieved February 29, 2024 – via Google Books.

External links

• Race Pro Weekly Original Film: "X" Marks the Spot: The Butch Jelley Story – YouTube