Sean O'Bannon Medford preview

O’Bannon ready for showdown in Medford

MEDFORD, Ore. – For second-year NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car pilot Sean O’Bannon, his Division 6 Championship hopes rest heavily on this weekend. O’Bannon and the Tequila Patrón/Forest River RV’s team enter this weekend’s Division 6 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series closer at Champion Raceway in Medford, Ore., locked in a tie with Brian Hough for the Division 6 points lead. Not only does O’Bannon need to gain points to break the tie with rival Hough, but must hold off the charge of Clint Thompson, who trails in third by a mere eleven points.

With the three drivers so close for the championship, there are many scenarios that may play out. O’Bannon and Hough must reach the final to add to their points total. Thompson needs only to advance past the first round to add to his total. There’s even the possibility that Thompson may lose in the second round, making for a three-way tie on top of the points. O’Bannon, 29, of Ontario, Calif., hopes to take matters in his own hand with a win that would gain him 42 points.

“There’s a lot of scenarios, a lot of tiebreakers that can go down,” said O’Bannon. “The bottom line is that if we can win this event, we won’t need to worry about the tiebreakers. We have a great team, a great car and great sponsors. We’d love to put it all together and get a win this weekend.”

The battle won’t be over this weekend, as Clint Thompson will have one race remaining to claim towards his divisional points, which will presumably be the Division 7 closer in Las Vegas. The event will be the final race O’Bannon and Hough can claim towards their points total.

“We’re tied with Hough and we can’t forget about Thompson,” stated O’Bannon. “This race is a big, big race for all three of us. Thompson can still go down to Vegas and gain more points, so it won’t be over this weekend. Luckily, the Vegas race is usually one of the, if not the toughest divisional event of the year. So it helps our situation that it won’t be easy for him to gain points down there. Not saying he doesn’t have the car to win down there, it will just be tough for anyone.”

After fighting ignition problems at last weekend’s national event in Dallas, O’Bannon cites the car will have all new components this weekend.

“Every electrical component on the car will be replaced for this weekend,” O’Bannon explained. “This isn’t the weekend to be chasing gremlins.”

Qualifying begins on Friday for the alcohol cars with two more sessions on Saturday. Final eliminations will conclude the event on Sunday.

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