Crude oil raced toward 86 dollars a barrel in Asian trade, today, extending gains on demand optimism amid signs of a global economic upswing. New York's light sweet crude for delivery in May rose 84 cents, to 85.71 dollars a barrel. New York crude had briefly traded above 85 last week, its highest level since October 9, 2008. Brent North Sea crude for May climbed 72 cents, to 84.73 dollars a barrel.Oil's was helped by a string of bullish economic data, including Friday's US jobs report, which showed the biggest growth in three years. Investor sentiment was also boosted by last week's data showing that the US manufacturing sector grew at a faster pace than expected and a government report that said Chinese manufacturing picked up in March. Manufacturing in the eurozone also defied forecasts in March, with a key index hitting a 40-month high.