Sean O'Bannon Sonoma preview

O'Bannon looking to bounce back in Sonoma

SONOMA, Calif. - NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car rookie Sean O'Bannon and the Tequila Patrón/Forest River RV's team will be looking for some redemption at this weekend's Fram-Autolite Nationals at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., following a disappointing outing last weekend in Seattle. Persistent rains shortened qualifying to just one session in which O'Bannon's Dodge Charger encountered heavy tire shake that eventually lead to him crossing the centerline, disqualifying his only run.

O'Bannon, 28, of Fontana, Calif., is ready to put Seattle behind him and rebound this weekend in Sonoma.

"We knew with the weather it was going to be a one shot deal," said O'Bannon. "It started to rattle the tires pretty hard in low. I stayed with it as long as I could, then pedaled it. When I pedaled it, it just shot me over the centerline into the cones. I'm more disappointed about crossing the centerline than not qualifying. Unfortunately, we didn't get another chance to make the field, and our weekend was over. All you can do is learn from it and move on."

"We have a good weather forecast for this weekend, so hopefully we'll get all three qualifying shots," O'Bannon continued. "Sonoma is a fast track with good air, so hopefully we can step this Tequila Patrón/Forest River RV's Dodge Charger back up. Our teammate Alexis De Joria has been running good her last few outings and they have learned some things that will help our car. It's going to be a tough show, but I have all the confidence in the world in the team my dad [Jack] has put together. We're definitely looking forward to getting back on track this weekend."

Qualifying begins on Friday for the alcohol cars with two sessions, followed by one final session on Saturday. Eliminations begin 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