News

• Brad Leighton checkers PASS Winterfest 150
• Leighton Heads To PASS With Richard Moody Racing
• Up And Down Weekend At NHMS For Leighton
• Leighton To Pull Double Duty At NHMS
• Brad Leighton Wins Summer Sizzler 200 at Kawartha Speedway
• Leighton Finishes 18th At NHMS
• Brad Leighton Ready To Tackle "Magic Mile"
• Strong Run Yields Podium Finish For Leighton
• Brad Leighton Wins NH Governor's Cup At Lee USA Speedway
• Brad Leighton Victorious In Charity Ice Racing Event
• Leighton Shut Out of NHMS Victory Lane By Fuel
• Brad Leighton Charges To Third Place Finish At Thompson
• Leighton Recovers From Spin And Finishes 9th At NHMS
• Leighton Picks Ups Third Place Finish At Waterford
• New Hampshire Motor Speedway Preview - NASCAR Camping World Series East
• Brad Leighton Takes 11th Despite Problems
• Campaign To Include Camping World Series East And ACT Races

Brad Leighton checkers PASS Winterfest 150

Samsula FL (1/31/10): Brad Leighton took advantage of a late race restart to power around Johnny Clark for the win in the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) super late model Winterfest 150 at New Smyrna Speedway Sunday afternoon. Sam Watts, Jeff Choquette and Lonnie Sommerville chased the top two to the checkers.

The race was Leighton's' first with Richard Moody Racing, the team that earned the 2009 PASS National title with Ben Rowe at the wheel.

Johnny Clark set fast time with a lap of 17.505 seconds, followed by Sam Watts (17.534), Jeff Choquette (17.535), Brad Leighton ((17.601) and Preston Peltier (17.629).

Eight cars completed all 150 green flag laps in a race slowed by twelve caution periods. Leighton, Clark, Peltier, Choquette, Watts and Ben Rowe each took one or more turns at the front of the field. Rowe's day ended in a turn one wreck, relegating the defending PASS South and National Champion to a 14th place finish.

Leighton Heads To PASS With Richard Moody Racing

Center Harbor, NH (December 18, 2009): Former NASCAR Camping World Series East and American Canadian Tour Champion Brad Leighton announced today a partnership with Richard Moody Racing to race in the Pro All Star Series (PASS) Super Late Model Series for the 2010 season. Leighton will run his familiar #55 on RMR's Ford Fusions. Sponsorship negotiations are still underway.

"I'm very excited to be announcing this deal," said Leighton. "One of the most important reasons I decided to do this was because of the people – it's a good team. I worked with (crew chief) Brian Burgess and some of the other team members a few years back when I ran some races with SP2 Motorsports, and he's a real sharp guy. At that time, SP2 was at the top of their game, and I view this team, Moody Racing, at the same level. This is one of the best teams in the PASS series – no doubt about it." Richard Moody Racing has raised the bar on competition in the PASS Series. With driver Ben Rowe, the team earned the 2009 PASS South Championship and finished runner-up in the 2009 PASS North point standings. Their combined regional accomplishments earned them the PASS National title for the 2009 season. In addition, they won a championship in 2007 with Rowe behind the wheel.

Leighton has been equally successful in his driving career. He's won championships in the American Canadian Tour (1995) and NASCAR Camping World Series East (1999 and 2000), won the New Hampshire Motor Speedway track championship four times (1998, 2000-02), and finished 11th in the American Canadian Tour point standings last season after competing in only eight races. He won at Thunder Road and Lee USA Speedway.

"At this point in my career I don't view any opportunity as one of filling anybody's shoes or a seat, or needing too live up to their success," said Leighton about the new partnership. "Ben (Rowe) has been extremely successful with this team and obviously inherited the genes from his father. I have a lot of respect for both Mike Rowe and Ben. It's a father and son that have enjoyed success that's unparalleled in the Northeast and possibly at any short track level."

Leighton will kick off his duties as RMR's driver late next month when they head to New Smyrna Speedway in Florida for the Winter Fest 150, a PASS National race. "Some of the guys in my race shop had worked with Brad in the past and told me that we should talk to him about driving our cars," said car owner Richard Moody. "I met with him at his hotel in Auburn (Maine) and we got along really well. We want to have fun racing and I think we'll be extremely competitive. We're going to put some good cars underneath him and Brad's record speaks for itself."

Leighton's schedule will include venues on both the North and South divisions of the Pro All Star Series. Full details of his schedule, which will include stops on the American Canadian Tour, are pending and will be announced at a later date.

Up And Down Weekend At NHMS For Leighton

Posts 25th Place Finish In CWSE And 7th In ACT Invitational

Loudon, NH (September 20, 2009): The weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway was a roller coaster ride of sorts for Irving Oil sponsored driver Brad Leighton. After posting a disappointing 25th place finish in the NASCAR Camping World Series East race on Friday evening, Leighton bounced back with a top-10 finish in the inaugural ACT Invitational on Saturday night.

Leighton kicked off the weekend in the Camping World Series East where he remains a favorite for victory based on his series leading eight wins at the 1.058-mile oval. Leighton qualified the No. 55 Irving Racing Chevrolet 15th fastest with a speed of 124.255 mph, and was a consistent threat in the top-10 for the first 30 laps of the race.

Leighton made his first pit stop at lap 15 and followed that up with another pit stop at lap 33. As it turned out, Leighton was having a tire issue that had to be addressed.

"Three laps into the race after our first stop, we were headed backwards. We had an inch more stagger in the back than we should have," he explained. "We had to come back in and change the tire. We had a big cut in the tire and it may have blown anyway."

Things went downhill from there. After making his way back up to 12th, Leighton was involved in a wreck that happened on a lap 76 restart. A car failed to go and the No. 55 Irving Oil Chevrolet got collected.

"I had a good run going at that time and the 36 got jacked up, he turned right, came right back and caught me. I was wide open trying to get through it, but it didn't happen," Leighton said. "Our day was done when we pitted. We had a big right rear tire and it couldn't handle the car, but after that wreck, it was definitely done."

Leighton returned to the track the next day to compete in the inaugural ACT Invitational. The Center Harbor, NH driver earned his way into the race via a win in the ACT Tour earlier in the year. No qualifying was held and Leighton drew a 22nd place starting position in the 50-lap race.

Leighton dropped back early in the race and remained in the top-15 for most of the event. He turned up the heat following a lap 41 caution and was able to gain six positions in the closing laps of the race to finish seventh.

"I would have liked to win that race, but you have to work with what you've got," said Leighton. "We didn't have the car to win today that's all there was too it. Congratulations to Eddie MacDonald on his win. He worked hard for it."

Leighton To Pull Double Duty At NHMS

Center Harbor, NH (September 7, 2009): Brad Leighton has a chance to add to an already stellar record at New Hampshire Motor Speedway when he heads to the track September 18-19 for a double-header weekend that includes competing in the NASCAR Camping World Series East and ACT Invitational races. Leighton will pilot the No. 55 Irving Oil-sponsored car in both events.

Leighton has eight wins in 38 starts at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in the NASCAR Camping World Series East, and has been looking to add to that total since he last won there in 2003. He's led over 600 laps at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, and is always a fan-favorite for the win.

"We've come close so many times over the last couple of years, so hopefully, this time will be our trip back to victory lane," said Leighton, who has posted five top-10 finishes since his last win. "We're aiming to bring home back-to-back wins."

The Center Harbor, N.H. resident will also compete in the inaugural ACT Invitational on Saturday. Leighton earned an invitation by virtue of his win at the at the New Hampshire Governor's Cup at Lee USA Speedway earlier this year. He was the first driver to earn one of the 36 total invitations to the race.

Late last month, Leighton participated in a test session in preparation for the Late Model event that will carry a purse of more than $65,000 for invited and approved teams.

"The test went well, but we discovered we have a lot more work to do," said Leighton. "You can really drive the ACT car deep into the corners unlike the East Series car, but the East Series cars have a lot more power. The good thing is the two races are a day apart so it'll lessen any transition issues."

Leighton is already the winningest driver in the history of New Hampshire Motor Speedway so a win in either division would be a feather in his cap.

"If we win the East Series race, we'll end a dry spell I've been trying to end for some time now, but at the same time I'd really like to win that ACT Invitational. It's going to be a busy weekend, but I'm going to have a lot of fun with it all. I can't wait – I'll be like a kid in a candy store."

Catch Brad Leighton and the Irving Oil Chevrolet in the Heluva Good Fall 125 NASCAR Camping World Series East race on Friday, September 18th at 5 p.m and the ACT Invitational on Saturday, September 19th at 5:30 p.m.

Brad Leighton Wins Summer Sizzler 200 at Kawartha Speedway

Peterborough, ON: Brad Leighton captured his second ACT Tour victory of the 2009 season in the Summer Sizzler 200 at Kawartha Speedway in Peterborough, ON. Leighton, driving the Irving Oil machine, started on the outside pole with a plus four handicap in ACT's plus/minus system and led until Patrick Laperle took control on lap 27.

Laperle wouldn't hold the lead for long as Randy Potter got by him on lap 56. Potter and Laperle then battled until a caution flag on lap 92 when Potter along with several other cars pitted for fresh tires and gas. Laperle would not be contested again until Joey "Pole" Polewarczyk, Jr. caught him on lap 113.

Laperle and Pole rubbed fenders until lap 139 when Laperle lost the lead for good. It then appeared that Pole was going to run away from the field until a caution on lap 181 grouped the field back together and brought Potter within striking distance. Pole and Potter then swapped the lead through three more late restarts until it appeared Potter had issues on the lap 189 restart.

Leighton took advantage of Potter's mishap and got by Pole for the final lead change on lap 191. Pole would hang on to finish second followed by ACT Tour point leader Scott Payea in third. Karl Allard and Jonathan Urlin finished fourth and fifth. Brian Hoar, Patrick Laperle, Dave Morgan, Brandon Watson and Chip Grenier filled out the sixth through tenth positions.

Leighton scored his first victory of the season at the ACT Tour opener at Lee USA Speedway in April, where he received the first invite to the ACT Invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Saturday, September 19th.

Leighton Finishes 18th At NHMS

Loudon, N.H. (June 27, 2009): Brad Leighton has won at New Hampshire Motor Speedway more than any other driver in the NASCAR Camping World Series East, but during Friday evenings Heluva Good! Summer 125, Leighton experienced something he never has at the 1.058-mile oval – a struggle with the set up in the No. 55 Irving Oil Chevrolet. Leighton finished the day with an 18th place finish.

"We missed it. It's the first time in a while and it's humbling. We thought we had a better car than that. I didn't know if we had a car to win, but there was nothing there. I had to hang on and keep it in one piece," he said. "We were just trying to showcase Irving. We've always done well here for them at the speedway with all the exposure the place gets, but it just didn't work out today."

Leighton's season debut in the NASCAR Camping World Series East kicked off with a qualifying effort of 122.813 mph (31.013 seconds) to earn a starting position in row seven. At the drop of the green, Leighton dropped back to 19th and realized that an adjustment would have to be made. A long green flag run that lasted the first 39 laps of the race threatened to put the four-time track champion a lap down.

"We were pretty close there," admitted Leighton. "We really needed that caution and it came just in time for us. We were able to stay on the lead lap at that point and come in and try to adjust on the car a little bit."

The teams effort didn't make much difference on the track. Leighton continued to struggle, but was able to gain position nevertheless. Leighton made it up to 13th before coming back down pit road for a fresh set of tires. He returned to the track in the 20th position.

Leighton had his work cut out for him, but his determination prevailed and the Center Harbor, N.H. native was able to get into 18th before the checkers dropped. Leighton stayed out of trouble the entire race long and was able to bring the car home in one piece.

"The fortunate thing is that we have a car we can work on," said Leighton. "The guys don't have to go back and worry about fixing body and frame damage. They can concentrate on making this car better for the September race."

Brad Leighton Ready To Tackle "Magic Mile"

Center Harbor, N.H. (June 18, 2009): Two-time NASCAR Camping World Series East Champion Brad Leighton will make his season debut at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on June 26th behind the wheel of the No. 55 Irving Oil Chevrolet. Leighton, who secured the first invitation to the track's ACT Invitational scheduled for later this year, is anxious to get back to his home state track and attempt to win a fifth track championship.

"New Hampshire (Motor Speedway) is my home away from home," said Leighton. "I don't know what it is, but I run really good at New Hampshire. Nevertheless, I've been shut out of victory lane the last few times, and we're hoping to change that this year!"

Although this will mark Leighton's first start this year in the Camping World Series East, he has been quite busy running a limited schedule in the American-Canadian Tour. Leighton's win at the New Hampshire Governor's Cup at Lee USA Speedway solidified an invitation to the highly anticipated ACT Invitational in September. He also gained a podium finish at Airborne Speedway last month, and led every lap at Waterford Speedbowl last week before rain halted the event and forced a rescheduling to June 20th.

Leighton's 2008 season in the NASCAR Camping World Series East yielded one top-five and two top-10 finishes in only three starts. He led 44 laps of the Heluva Good Fall 125 before a fuel issue sent him to the pits three laps before the race conclusion.

"We were so close!" Leighton recalled. "We were in contention at both NHMS races last year. It was so frustrating to be so good and not put these guys into victory lane."

Leighton has won four track championships at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and would like to add another to his resume.

"Those track championships are some of the biggest highlights of my career," said Leighton. "I'm really proud to say that I've won that. When you compete at a track as prestigious as New Hampshire Motor Speedway, you're drawing the best of the best as far as drivers and crews are concerned. When you win that championship, it's a validation of sorts to say, 'hey, we've beaten the best'."

The Heluva Good Summer 125 is slated for Friday, June 26th at 5 p.m. eastern daylight time.

Strong Run Yields Podium Finish For Leighton

Plattsburgh, N.Y. (May 11, 2009): A dominating performance ended with a third place finish for Irving Oil-sponsored driver Brad Leighton at Airborne Speedway's Spring Green 100. Leighton started the American Canadian Tour race on the outside pole and led the first 75 laps of the race before Randy Potter was able to claim the lead on a restart. Leighton swapped the lead with Potter several times before Scott Payea was able to seize the point and eventual win away from both of them.

"We had an awesome car in the Irving Oil/Subway/Harrison Concrete Ford, but it just tightened up in the final quarter of the race," said Leighton. "We needed a few laps to get up to speed so those restarts really killed us."

The field tightened up for the final time at lap 97 with Leighton starting in third place. He was able to hold on for third for the drop of the checkers just three laps later.

"It was a great race and we would have really liked to have won it, but you can’t win them all!"

Leighton, who won earlier this year at Lee, was the first driver of the season to qualify for the ACT Invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on September 19th, and his third place finish this weekend moved him to eighth in the point standings.

Brad Leighton Wins NH Governor's Cup At Lee USA Speedway

Lee, N.H. (April 20, 2009): Brad Leighton, driver of the No. 55 Irving Oil Ford, kicked off the 2009 season with a win in ACT's New Hampshire Governor's Cup at Lee USA Speedway. Leighton took the lead from Joey Polewarczyk, Jr. on lap 130 and never looked back. The win qualifies Leighton and his Irving Oil race team for the inaugural ACT invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway later this year.

"It's a real honor to be the first qualifier for the New Hampshire Invitational. The Invitational is going to be a huge boost for the ACT series and attract tremendous regional exposure. And it's great to be part of it," Leighton said from victory lane.

Leighton started the Governor's Cup from the 19th position after drawing a tough starting position in the fourth heat. The Center Harbor, N.H. resident was able to get into the feature with his win in the second Consi.

Leighton was patient during the first fifty laps of the race when a battle between Mike Olsen and Brian Hoar stole the attention up front. Leighton, meanwhile, worked his way through the field to put himself into position to become a contender. A long green flag run developed after the 50 lap mark giving Leighton the opportunity to challenge Joey Polewarczyk at lap 130 for the lead. Once out front, Leighton was able to hold off all challenges and take the checkered flag.

"This is awesome," a joyous Leighton said after the race. "The guys put a great car underneath me! We had two goals coming into this season – to win a race and qualify for the New Hampshire Invitational – so I'd say we're off to a really good start to the year! I can't thank everyone at Irving Oil and Subway for supporting us in this series. This is great for everyone involved!"

Leighton dedicated the win to "Grammy Peg", his wife Lynn's grandmother. Brad had a close relationship with her – talking and joking about his race career and everyday topics on life were some of their favorite past times. Peg passed away Thursday morning.

"We certainly will miss her," said Leighton. "Peg was a wonderful woman who I adored. She would have bragged to all her friends at the nursing home that I won this race so this one is for her!"

Brad Leighton Victorious In Charity Ice Racing Event

Moultonborough, N.H. (February 2, 2009): Brad Leighton drove to victory as a celebrity driver in the 25th Annual Latchkey Cup race on Saturday afternoon. The event, hosted by the Lakes Region Ice Racing Club, benefits the Norris Cotton Cancer Center at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in New Hampshire. Other celebrity drivers included Dale Shaw, DJ Shaw, Kirk Alexander, Luke Royea, and Peter Jarvis.

Leighton, driver of the #55 Irving Oil racecars on the NASCAR Camping World Series East and American-Canadian Tour, won his feature event behind the wheel of the Tim Chase-owned #10. Leighton edged out DJ Shaw and Jarvis for the win.

"It was a lot of fun," admitted Leighton. "I do this every year, and it’s a different experience every time! It’s great to be able to help out an organization like the Norris Cotton Cancer Center and have fun doing it. I’d like to thank the Lakes Region Ice Racing Club for all the hard work they go through to pull this off."

Norris Cotton Cancer Center at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center is one of the nation's premier facilities for cancer treatment and research. It is one of only 40 National Cancer Institute designated comprehensive cancer centers in the United States, and is rated by US News & World Report as one of the top 50 hospitals for cancer care nationally. The Cancer Center provides a positive environment for treatment, cure, and recovery for patients with all forms of cancer. Patients receive technologically advanced cancer treatments and access to clinical trials of new treatments.

"It’s no secret that I support any cause that supports the fight against cancer," Leighton said. "This disease has struck too many people close to us. I bet anyone can name at least one person in their life that has been affected by cancer. Being a part of events like this empower me – and can empower us all - to make a difference."

Leighton Shut Out of NHMS Victory Lane By Fuel

Loudon, NH (September 13, 2008): Brad Leighton led 44 laps of the NASCAR Camping World Series East's Heluva Good Fall 125 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway Saturday morning, but fell off the pace with only three laps remaining when his #55 Irving Oil Chevrolet seemingly ran out of fuel. The four-time NHMS track champion was credited with a disappointing 22nd place finish.

"We didn't really run out of gas, it just didn't pick it up. We've got gas in the tank," said Leighton. "We were a few laps short. It's pretty frustrating, but the fact is these guys work hard and we were competitive. It looked like we were going to pull it off. I thought I had it in June and I thought we had it here today."

Leighton started the race sixth after turning a lap of 30.371 seconds (125.409 mph) in qualifying, and maintained that position through the first ten laps of the race. On a restart at lap 13, Leighton shot by Marc Davis for fifth and moved up to third before the second caution flew at lap 18.

Leighton brought the Irving Oil Chevrolet down pit road for fuel during the caution period and restarted the race from the 15th spot. Leighton moved up to fifth before a long green flag run developed and spread out the field.

Perseverance and determination allowed Leighton to close a two-and-a-half second gap to close in on the leaders, and at lap 72, the Center Harbor, N.H. driver moved into second. On lap 76, Leighton began a bid for the lead on the backstretch, but was able to utilize lapped traffic to his advantage on the frontstretch to take the top spot.

"Eddie (MacDonald) was pretty much done at that point. We were 2/10th's quicker on the watch. My car liked it down on the bottom, and it looked like I pinched him into lapped traffic, but in reality, I was going to go by anyway," Leighton explained.

Leighton commanded the next 44 laps of the race – pulling away by a half-a-straightaway from the rest of the field. But at lap 120, Leighton seemed to drop off. Eddie MacDonald challenged him for the lead as Leighton quickly dropped off the pace. Very quickly, Leighton went from 1st to the tail end of the field before pulling onto pit road at lap 122.

"I couldn't believe it," said Leighton. "Our finish certainly doesn't say anything about how this car ran today. We were the car to beat. Unfortunately, it just wasn't our day."

Brad Leighton Charges To Third Place Finish At Thompson

Thompson, Conn. (July 13, 2008): Brad Leighton posted his second straight top-three finish in the NASCAR Camping World Series East when he charged from a ninth place starting position to finish third in the 100-lap Full Fender Frenzy at Thompson International Speedway Saturday night. The driver of the #55 Irving Oil Chevrolet dropped out of the top three on a lap 97 restart, but clawed his way back to a podium finish for the checkers.

"It was the worst restart of the day, honestly," said Leighton about the final restart. "I started every restart in third gear and that restart I started second because they were creeping. I spun the tires down the whole front stretch. By the time I got up off turn two the thing was burning the back tires off because I had no grip. I was just pedaling and then I got by the 18 again and used him up pretty good. I slid up into him a little bit, and I hated to do that, but it was a green-white-checker."

Leighton topped the speed charts in the first practice session with a 20.616 second lap time, and matched those speeds in the second session. He picked up even more in qualifying with a 20.582 second lap time (109.319 mph), and was lined up ninth on the starting grid.

At the drop of the green, Leighton dropped back to 11th after Jeffrey Earnhardt and Brian Ickler got by him. Leighton fought back and after a short battle with Ickler moved back into the top 10.

The first caution flew at lap 33 with the Irving Oil Chevrolet lining up eighth for the restart at lap 38. As soon as the field came around turn two, however, one of the front runners spun and brought the field back under caution again. Racing resumed at lap 44 with Leighton still in eighth, and looking to move forward. But first, Leighton had to get by the 71 of Eddie MacDonald.

Leighton went low to try and get around, but couldn't quite drive by. Just as he was ready to mount another challenge, the caution came out and slowed his progress. Racing resumed at lap 53, and this time, Leighton was able to drive around Macdonald and take over seventh.

MacDonald reclaimed the spot and Leighton retaliated on a restart at lap 60. The two were side-by-side in a classic short track battle. Leighton used the low groove to his advantage and emerged the victor at lap 64.

After going three wide out of turn four, Leighton was ready to challenge Marc Davis for the fourth spot. Coming out of turn two, Leighton drove by on the bottom with ease. A caution at lap 76 would tighten up the top-five and give Leighton the opportunity to gain even more ground. On lap 83, Leighton took over third from Peyton Sellers.

With the laps winding down, Leighton did not have much time left. Still, he was optimistic.

"The way they were going at it – the 11 and the 1 – I thought it could work in my favor. They were pretty aggressive," said Leighton about the first and second place cars.

Leighton made an immediate challenge on the battling duo up front, but had to settle back into third before the caution flew and put them all side-by-side for the final restart at lap 97. At the drop of the green, Leighton slipped back to fifth and fought his way back to third before the checkers dropped a scant two laps later.

"We had this thing set up for the longer runs. With all those cautions, we never got the momentum. It was a good finish for us," Leighton said. "I want to thank Irving Oil for supporting me for all these years. This is pretty rewarding for me running with these guys. It's a lot of fun. I'm on the other end of my career so it's great to be competitive. I was there if there was an opportunity, but it just didn't happen. We did pretty good and the guys are pretty happy."

Leighton Recovers From Spin And Finishes 9th At NHMS

Loudon, NH (June 28, 2008): Brad Leighton was poised to win at New Hampshire Motor Speedway Friday evening. The Irving Oil race team gave him the car to do it, and Leighton, making his first NASCAR Camping World Series East start of the season, was driving in his typical winning style.

Following a restart at lap 102, Leighton dove low into turn one, drove underneath Brian Ickler for the lead, and spun exiting turn two after Ickler made contact with his #55 Irving Oil Chevrolet. NASCAR positioned both Leighton and Ickler at the rear of the field, but the eight-time winner at NHMS rallied back to finish 9th.

"I spun and I just kept my foot in it," recalled Leighton. "We were driving down into one and I held it through turn two. He (Ickler) poked me in the back getting off turn two. We got together, but I didn't put the backup alarm on. He drove in the back of me and that's all there was to it."

Leighton received a past-champions provisional and started the race from the 22nd position after rain washed out qualifying. Leighton was on a tear, and by the end of the first lap, had already made it up to 14th. When the caution was thrown at lap 22, Leighton elected to come down pit road to top off his fuel.

The Irving Oil Chevrolet pitted again on the next caution period and lined back up in the 31st position for a restart at lap 41. Leighton had a long way to go, but he knew he had the car to do it.

When the caution came out at lap 81, Leighton was sitting just outside the top-five. He restarted the race in sixth, and moved into third by lap 90 by driving underneath the 18 car of Marc Davis.

It was on the following restart at lap 102 when Leighton took the lead heading into one. Despite spinning in front of the entire field, Leighton was able to keep the car going. NASCAR, however, decided to send him back for bringing out the caution.

"I think I went down the entire backstretch backwards," he said. "My radio wasn't working so I couldn't understand why I had to drop back when NASCAR reverts to the last completed lap."

All Leighton's ground had been lost, but that challenged the driver even more. He drove back up through and by the time the checkers dropped less than 20 laps later, Leighton was in ninth.

"All I know is the guys did a heluva job on the car. We had a car capable of winning. We started in the back and passed everybody twice," he said. "I do love this place!"

Leighton will return to action on July 12th when the series heads to Thompson International Speedway.

Leighton Picks Ups Third Place Finish At Waterford

Waterford, CT (June 10, 2008): In a surprise visit, Brad Leighton made his first American-Canadian Tour appearance of the season at Waterford Speedbowl Saturday night, and stood on the podium with a third place finish for the Irving Oil race team. Leighton's start in the Nutmeg 100 will replace a scheduled appearance at White Mountain on June 28th.

Leighton's weekend kicked off with the team scrambling to find a motor issue – a problem that would plague them for the rest of the day. "We initially thought it was the carburetor, but it turned out to be a fuel pump," said Leighton. "That made the car go better, but it still wasn't 100 percent. There was still something missing. It didn't have the power it should have."

Despite the mechanical problems the team faced in practice, Leighton finished second in his qualifier and earned an eighth place starting position.

The race came down to the final three restarts. Leighton was third behind Scott Payea and Waterford Speedbowl regular Bruce Thomas. Leighton knew if he was going to have a shot at the win, he'd have to get them on the restart.

"I was better on the short run, but they were both faster than me on the longer run. After a few laps they'd pull away. If I could have gotten the Irving Oil Ford Fusion in front on one of the restarts I think I would have had a shot at the win."

Overall, Leighton and his Irving Oil race team were pleased with a top-three to kick off their season.

"We brought the car home in one piece and had a top-three finish. That's impressive for our first start of the year, and even better considering we were beating and banging on a short track. We'll take this and hope it gives us momentum heading into New Hampshire Motor Speedway."

Leighton will return to action in the NASCAR Camping World Series East where he will attempt to return to victory lane in a series where he earned two championships.

"It's no secret that New Hampshire is my favorite track," said Leighton. "We've had a lot of success there, and nothing would thrill me more than to go there and win it."

New Hampshire Motor Speedway Preview - NASCAR Camping World Series East

• This will be Brad's first start of the season and his 157th career start in the NASCAR Camping World Series East. Brad has competed in the series every year since 1995. He has a total of 24 wins, 68 top-five, and 102 top-10 finishes.
• Brad's average start at NHMS is 10th and his average finish is 7th. He's won eight times at the track and has been crowned the track champion four times. He's led a total of 593 laps at NHMS behind the wheel of a NASCAR Camping World Series East car.
• In this event last year, Brad led 48 laps but finished second to Joey Logano after Logano beat him to the line on a green-white-checkered finish.
• Brad has three NCWS East races planned for this season: both NHMS events and Thompson International Speedway next month.
• The #55 car Brad is driving is a collaborative effort between Leighton and his long-standing friends and business partners Steve and Peg Griswold, owners of GRIZCO Racing. Brad drove to two series crowns behind the wheel of a GRIZCO Racing entry.

Leighton on returning to the NASCAR Camping World Series East

"I feel so fortunate to have been a part of this series for the last 14 years," said Leighton. "I've always felt really confident coming to New Hampshire. The track has always suited my style. On the same token, the series is very different from when I ran it regularly, and there is a lot of Cup influence now. I feel we have a solid chance at victory lane, but I know it's going to be tough. I know how competitive these guys are. We're definitely up to the challenge."

Leighton on whether he would ever consider returning to the series on a full-time basis

"It would have to be the right circumstances. There would be just so much to consider. I like running these races here at New Hampshire and picking and choosing the short track races in ACT, but never say never."

Brad Leighton Takes 11th Despite Problems

Loudon, NH...The New England 125 at New Hampshire International Speedway, July 14 proved to be both a good race and a tough race for Brad Leighton and the No. 35 Irving Oil Ford.

Hitting the track for the first time this season, Leighton driving for the NDS Motorsports Team, was pleased with the car's performance and ended Thursday's practice in a strong 7th place. "Our Irving Oil Ford was good," said Leighton, "and I figured we had an excellent shot at doing well."

While qualifying proved to be somewhat of a disappointment as Leighton ended up gridded in the Number 14 slot, everyone on the team still felt good about the race. With Leighton's well known behind the wheel talent, they figured it was just a matter of time before he would be able to move up to the front, especially after he posted a 4th in final practice.

When the Green Flag waved, Leighton was ready and immediately began cutting a path through the field. And, that is when things began to get tough. All of a sudden the alternator failed which in turn disabled the battery and the air conditioner.

"It was incredibly hot without any air," explained Leighton, who was forced to make two unscheduled pit stops for repairs. The crew worked double time and to make up for the lack of air, they put ice bags on me to keep me cooled down."

Coming from the back to the front, three times, Leighton proved his excellent ability at NHIS and made it up to 6th place with six laps to go. Unfortunately, the battery again faded and he was forced to settle for putting the Irving Oil Ford in 11th place.

Campaign To Include Camping World Series East And ACT Races

Center Harbor, NH (May 9, 2008): Brad Leighton together with Irving Oil Corporation announced today an eight-race schedule that will include events on both the NASCAR Camping World Series East and ACT schedules. Leighton will enter the #55 Irving Racing cars at tracks throughout New England including New Hampshire Motor Speedway where Leighton holds four track championships. Irving Oil and their Blue Canoe convenience stories will serve as the primary sponsor.

Leighton’s efforts commenced at Lee USA Speedway last month and will conclude at the Milk Bowl in September. Other stops include a weekend doubleheader when Leighton competes in the NASCAR Camping World Series East’s Heluva Good!® 125 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Friday, June 27th and the ACT Series White Mountain 150 on Saturday, June 28th. In addition to both NHMS events, Leighton will campaign a car at Thompson International Speedway in the NASCAR Camping World Series East.

"I'm very excited we are able to continue this partnership with such a reputable, community minded company," said Leighton. "Their values parallel my own personal values so it’s an honor to represent them in the sport I love the most."

Leighton will also compete in the 2008 TD Banknorth 250 at Oxford Plains Speedway. There are reportedly more than 100 entries so far for the most prestigious Late Model race in the country.

Finally, Leighton will compete in the Labor Day Classic at Thunder Road International Speedbowl.

"I love racing at Thunder Road. It's short track racing at its best," said Leighton. "These big events are always a draw for me so I always look to put them on my schedule. Clearly, when you are running a limited schedule, you have the opportunity to pick and choose the tracks and series that most appeal to you and your sponsor. I think this schedule reflects a lot of the Brad Leighton personality – Think Big, Finish Big."