Sean O'Bannon Seattle preview

O'Bannon ready to get back in the saddle in Seattle

KENT, Wash. - NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car rookie Sean O'Bannon is ready to get back behind the wheel after a little over a month break during this weekend's Schuck's Auto Supply Nationals at Pacific Raceways just outside of Seattle. While this will be the first time he will pilot the Tequila Patrón Reposado/Forest River RV's Dodge Charger down the Pacific Raceways surface, he is familiar with the winner's circle after taking the win in Top Alcohol Dragster here last year.

O'Bannon, 28, from Fontana, Calif., has waited patiently to return to the cockpit while the Jack O'Bannon Racing team focused on getting teammate Alexis De Joria's identical Top Alcohol Funny Car up to speed on the divisional trail. With two strong outings under her belt, both teammates are excited about this weekend.

"We're excited about getting back on the track this weekend," said O'Bannon. "We needed to focus on Alexis' car to get it up to speed. They have done well at their last two divisional races, so we're ready to bring both cars back out. We also learned some things on Alexis' car that should help our car out since both cars are nearly identical. We took the win in the dragster here last year, it would be nice to get another one in Funny Car. The main thing is we just want to make some good runs and continue to develop this Tequila Patrón/Forest River RV's Dodge Charger."

After reaching the semifinals at their national event debut in Topeka, O'Bannon hopes to regain that form this weekend.

"We did real well in Topeka, then lost the first run in Chicago and got behind the eight ball from there," explained O'Bannon. "We were making major changes in the tune-up, but the car just wouldn't respond. My Crew Chief Sam Shockley and Alexis' Crew Chief Randy Anderson are confident we can get the car back in the right direction this weekend after learning a few things on her car.

Qualifying begins on Friday for the alcohol cars with two sessions, followed by one final session Saturday morning. Eliminations kick off with round one on Saturday afternoon, and final eliminations will conclude the event on Sunday.

About The Patrón Spirits Company:
Headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, the company's eight distinctive products now share the Patrón label; Gran Patrón Platinum, Patrón Añejo, Patrón Reposado, Patrón Silver, Patrón XO Café, Patrón Citrónge, Pyrat Cask 23, Pyrat XO Reserve. Each brand is the finest in their category. The newest, Gran Patrón Platinum, is an extraordinary triple distilled pure tequila. sPatrón Tequila is today, the world’s number one ultra premium tequila. In 2004 & 2005, Patrón Tequila was recognized with the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences Five Star Diamond Award. Patrón is the first spirits brand ever to receive this prestigious honor. Patrón Tequila continues to set new sales records every year.

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