Butch Jelley
| Butch Jelley | |
|---|---|
| Born | Clarence Jelley July 2, 1940 Rockville, Connecticut |
| Died | May 1, 2020 (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
[edit]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 West Lebanon New York track over his career.[1][2]
During his career Jelley competed successfully at the renowned tracks of the northeast, including New York's Albany-Saratoga Speedway, Fonda Speedway, Mid-State Speedway in Morris, and Syracuse Mile, and Langhorne Speedway Pennsylvania.[4][5][6][7] He was the 1975 track champion at Devil's Bowl Speedway Vermont.[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
[edit]- ^ a b c d "Clarence 'Butch' Jelley, 79". Speed Sport. May 2, 2020. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ a b c 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. Pittsfield MA. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ a b Howley, Dan (April 6, 2005). "Track through DIRT lead to Hall of Fame". The Times Union. Albany NY. p. F7. Retrieved March 4, 2024 – via NewsBank.
- ^ Harrington, Charlie (August 27, 1969). "Butch Jelley Gains Starting Spot In Famed Langhorn 200 Mile Stock Classic". Bennington Banner. VT. p. 12. Retrieved February 29, 2024 – via NewspaperArchive.
- ^ "Newcomers share loot in Mid-State program". The Daily Star. Oneonta NY. July 19, 1971. p. 13. Retrieved February 29, 2024 – via NewspaperArchive.
- ^ "Wilson loses duel with Jelley". The Evening News. Newburgh NY. September 14, 1971. p. 7B. Retrieved February 29, 2024 – via Google Books.
- ^ Boggie, Tom (July 21, 2001). "Jelley bests Camara to get first Malta win". The Daily Gazette. Schenectady NY. p. D5. Retrieved February 29, 2024 – via Google Books.