Leighton's Firsts Career Record Special Awards Year-By-Year Stats

Birthdate: June 12, 1962
Residence: Center Harbor, NH
Marital Status: Wife, Lynn
Children: Nick, Brent

Brad Leighton is one of the most successful drivers in the history of the Grand National Division, Busch East Series. A self-starter, both on and off the track, Leighton has achieved milestones that only some drivers can dream of. His colorful, fun-loving personality attracts fondness from fans, fellow competitors, and media. But despite his uplifting personality, obvious talent, and incredible determination it didn’t all come without hard work. Brad Leighton has earned his place and title as champion.

From humble beginnings, Leighton proved he had the fire needed to be a competitor on the tough Busch East Series. Like many kids, Brad looked up to his older brother, who raced snowmobiles, while growing up. Despite Brad’s best efforts, he could not receive permission from his father to join along in the competitions. He had no other alternative: sneak out of the house and do it anyway. The two Leighton brothers finished very well and were featured in the local paper the next day – making it difficult to keep from his father.

Brad doesn’t have to sneak around when he races anymore. After earning a Limited Sportsman Championship at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway in 1990, Leighton moved on to the American-Canadian Tour in 1991 where he earned Rookie-of-the-Year. Four short years later, Leighton had achieved the ACT Championship.

In 1996, Leighton and his team embarked on a new challenge: the Busch East Series. In only their first year of competition, the team achieved eight top-five finishes – more than any other rookie in the history of the series. Two of those finishes were trips to victory lane – tying such notables as Ricky Craven and Jerry Marquis for the most wins in a single season during a rookie year.

Leighton worked to improve on his already impressive performances and in 1999 earned the crown jewel of them all: the Busch East Series Championship. He defended that title the following season and is now second on the list of all-time winners with 24 victories. In addition, Leighton’s strong performances on New Hampshire International Speedway have earned him a remarkable four track championships at the most elite superspeedway on the series schedule.

In 2003, Leighton left GRIZCO Racing to run a limited schedule in the No. 35. There he was able to nail down a win at New Hampshire International Speedway, boast three top-five’s and an impressive four top-10’s in only five starts. They returned for the 2004 season even stronger and Leighton accomplished personal milestones with wins at both Watkins Glen International road course and Lime Rock Park road course.

In 2005, Leighton announced he would return with car owners Steve and Peg Griswold, who formed one of the biggest multi-car operations in the series. The team hit some road blocks and, for the first time, went winless in a season. He had hoped 2006 would give him a chance to run the full schedule and surpass Kelly Moore as the all time winningest driver, but GRIZCO Racing downsized and the opportunity to run a full season went away.

Leighton returned to the 35 car for three Busch East Series races, and elected to return to his roots behind a Super Late Model in the fastest growing division in New England and Canada – the Pro All Stars Series. Though he made only two starts in the series in 2006, Leighton was able to pull off a fourth place finish in the Atlantic Cat 250 at Scotia World.

For the 2007 season, Brad Leighton campaigned a limited schedule in both the NASCAR Busch East Series and Pro All Stars Series. Leighton returned to New Hampshire International Speeday and claimed second place in the track championship, while competing in four PASS races.

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