Sean O'Bannon Dallas wrap up

Ignition problems slow O’Bannon in Dallas

ENNIS, Texas – Second-year NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Sean O’Bannon and the Tequila Patrón/Forest River RV’s team reached the quarterfinals of this past weekend’s O’Reilly Super Start Batteries Fall Nationals at the Texas Motorplex just south of Dallas, but were slowed by ignition problems. Despite losing in the quarterfinals, O’Bannon moved to ninth in national standings.

O’Bannon, 29, of Ontario, Calif., qualified the Jack O’Bannon Racing ’08 Chevy Monte Carlo ninth in the field with a 5.689 second elapsed time at 254.81 mph. In round one, he took out fellow Division 6 racer Clint Thompson with a 5.684 at 254.81 mph. In a rematch of the Topeka national event final, O’Bannon squared off with Steve Harker. O’Bannon took the jump off the line, but could not hold off Harker’s low elapsed time of the event 5.569 at 258.22 mph with his own 5.689 at 254.81 mph.

“Something is wrong with the car,” said O’Bannon. “Our car should run a lot better mph than what it was running this weekend. We changed some ignition components for the second round, but there’s still a few parts we haven’t changed. We have looked real hard at the situation and think we have an idea what the problem is, but unfortunately, it was after we lost the second round. Every ignition component on the car will be replaced for next weekend.”

O’Bannon and the Tequila Patrón/Forest River RV’s team will head from Dallas to Medford, Ore., for this weekend’s Division 6 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series closer. The event is critical for the team’s Division 6 Championship hopes as he is currently tied for the points lead.

Simply Perfect in every way, Patrón is the world’s No. 1 selling ultra-premium tequila. From the finest, most expensive Weaber Blue agave plants grown in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico, to the centuries-old distillation process, to the signed, handcrafted glass bottles, Patrón is produced with unparalleled attention to detail. Imported and marketed by Las Vegas-based The Patrón Spirits Company, brands in the portfolio consist of Patrón Gran Platinum, Patrón Anejo, Patrón Reposado, Patrón Silver, Patrón XO Café (tequila and coffee blend), and Patrón Citrónge (extra fine orange liqueur), Ultimat Vodka (80 proof, Black Cherry and Chocolate Vanilla), as well as Pyrat Pistol, Pyrat Cask, and Pyrat XO Reserve Caribbean rums.

To find out more about the Jack O'Bannon Racing Team, visit their website at www.JackOBannonRacing.com

To find out more about Jack O'Bannon Racing's quality partners, visit these websites:

www.PatronSpirits.com - Find out more about the world's number one tequila - Tequila Patrón.

www.ForestRiverInc.com - Find out more about America's largest producer of towable RV's and Cargo Trailers

www.HoosierTire.com - "Tires Designed for Champions"

www.LE-Inc.com - Lubrication Engineers - "Leaders in Lubrication"

Contact: Will Hanna/ Pro Race Communications
Email: Will.Hanna@InsideTopAlcohol.com