Center Harbor, N.H. (April 13, 2009): Irving Oil Corporation has renewed its sponsorship of NASCAR and ACT Champion Brad Leighton the team announced Monday. Leighton will compete behind the wheel of the No. 55 Irving Oil racecars at tracks throughout New England and will include races in the American Canadian Tour (ACT) and two NASCAR Camping World Series East races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

            “We’re proud to welcome Irving Oil back to this team,” said Leighton. “We’ve had an ongoing partnership for over five years now, and as always, it will be an honor to represent them in this sport. Both NASCAR and the American Canadian Tour reach out to their core demographic and their involvement in this race program has a positive impact on their relationship with those people.”

            Leighton will kick off the 2009 season in the American Canadian Tour at Lee USA Speedway in New Hampshire this weekend. Leighton, who holds four New Hampshire Motor Speedway track championships in the NASCAR Camping World Series East, will attempt to qualify for the inaugural ACT race at the Magic Mile.

            “It’s no secret that NHMS has always been my favorite track. In the East Series, I’ve had a lot of success there and I’ve always referred to that track as my home track. To go back there and compete in the ACT Series is a huge accomplishment for this series. It will be one of the highlights of the entire weekend,” he said.

            Leighton will also attempt to qualify for both NASCAR Camping World Series East races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Last season, Leighton posted a ninth place finish in the June race, and was shut out of victory lane in September after leading 44 laps of the event.