Sean O'Bannon Phoenix wrap up

O’Bannon scores first Funny Car win in Phoenix

CHANDLER, Ariz. – NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Sean O’Bannon and the Jack O’Bannon Racing/Forest River RV’s team scored their first win in the Top Alcohol Funny Car class at this past weekend’s Division 7 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series opener at Firebird Raceway just outside of Phoenix. O’Bannon was the picture of consistency on race day as he set low elapsed time of every round.

O’Bannon, 30, of Ontario, Calif., qualified his Jeff Lirones tuned ’08 Monte Carlo No. 2 in the field with a 5.640 second elapsed time at 258.57 mph. In round one, he defeated Ken Webster with a 5.650 at 257.63 mph, and then defeated defending Division 5 Champion Roger Bateman in the semifinals with a 5.696 at 256.50 mph.

His final round match with former three-time Division 7 Champ Doug Gordon would be anti-climatic. Gordon’s mount broke in the burnout, giving O’Bannon a single to victory. O’Bannon showed it would have been a close race regardless, carding a 5.678 at 255.19 mph to secure his first win in the Top Alcohol Funny Car category after making the switch from Top Alcohol Dragster two years ago.

“This was a great weekend and a milestone for our team,” said O’Bannon. “Everyone did a great job. Jeff had the car running flawless. These cars are pretty fun to drive when they aren’t shaking. It was a nice rebound after Pomona.

“We just made small adjustments from our baseline all weekend,” O’Bannon continued. “We ran well in testing here, so we just tried to build off that. We love it when a plan comes together like this. We’re also very excited to get a win for our sponsors Forest River RV’s, Lubrication Engineers Oil and Fontana Wood Products.”

The event gives O’Bannon the early lead in Division 7 standings. The next event for the team will be the SummitRacing.com Nationals at “The Strip” at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Apr. 2-5.

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.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"

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