Sean O'Bannon Pomona preview

O'Bannon looking to pick up where he left off in Pomona

POMONA, Calif. - Just three short months ago, then NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car rookie Sean O'Bannon and the Tequila Patrón/Forest River RV's team completed the season on a high note, dipping into the 5.50 zone on the way to a quarterfinal finish at the season-ending event at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, Calif. Somewhere around 'high' noon on Thursday, the offseason will be no more as this weekend's CARQUEST Auto Parts Winternationals will kick off the 2008 season at Auto Club Raceway. After finishing last season on a high note and strong preseason testing, O'Bannon and his team are excited about what the new season may bring.

The event is a 'home game' for the 29 year old Ontario, Calif., resident. Not only is most of the team from the area, his father and Team Owner Jack O'Bannon's business, Fontana Wood Products, is based in nearby Fontana, Calif. The O'Bannon family is no stranger to victory. O'Bannon scored two national event victories driving his father's Top Alcohol Dragster on his way to a second place national finish in 2006 before switching to Funny Car last season. Jack won five-straight National Championships in Top Alcohol Dragster as well as an owner with Rick Santos driving.

"We're just hoping to build on the progress we made last year," said O'Bannon. "We made some good laps in testing a few weeks ago, so we're just going to try to pick up right where we left off last year in the 5.50's. We're going to have quite a few guests on hand this weekend, and we would love nothing more than to put the 'Wally' in the Fontana suite Sunday evening."

With a history of championships, the Jack O'Bannon Racing team is excited about starting the 2008 season with a season under their belts in the Top Alcohol Funny Car ranks.

"Last year was a learning year for the team," O'Bannon stated. "And there's no doubt in my mind we still have quite a bit to learn. We showed at the end of the year that we can run competitive numbers, we just need to build on that this year. When we switched to the Funny Car last year, this was all new to us. It's refreshing to know we're not starting the season from ground zero like last year. If we can make the progress this year that we made last year, we'll be in real good shape. Hopefully we can get this Tequila Patrón/Forest River RV's Charger in a few winner's circles this year."

Qualifying begins on Thursday for the Top Alcohol cars, with two more sessions on Friday. Eliminations begin with round one on Saturday and will conclude 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.HoosierRacingTire.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