Butch Jelley | |
Birth Name: | Clarence Jelley |
Birth Date: | July 2, 1940 |
Birth Place: | Rockville, Connecticut |
First Year: | 1957 |
Championships: | 1 |
Last Finish: | 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 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]
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]