Sean O'Bannon Topeka wrap up

O’Bannon reaches second-straight final in Topeka

TOPEKA, Kan. – Second-year NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Sean O’Bannon and the Tequila Patrón/Forest River RV’s backed team reached their second final in as many weeks with a runner-up finish during this past weekend’s O’Reilly Summer Nationals at Heartland Park in Topeka, Kan. The event marked the first trip to a national event final round since switching to the Top Alcohol Funny Car class last year. O’Bannon won this event two years ago while driving in the Top Alcohol Dragster category.

O’Bannon, from Ontario, Calif., qualified the Sam Shockley tuned ’08 Monte Carlo No. 2 with a 5.683 second elapsed time at 253.95 mph. In round one, he took out Nancy Matter with a 5.713 at 255.10 mph, and then defeated former Division 4 Champ Jimmy Jones with a 5.687 at 252.76 mph. He then went on to defeat last year’s No. 2 finisher Jay Payne in the semifinals with a 5.712 at 254.57 mph.

O’Bannon’s final round opponent would be No. 1 qualifier Steve Harker. Both drivers left the line with stellar .03 reaction times (.000 is perfect), but O’Bannon couldn’t hold off Harker’s 5.644 at 256.65 mph with his own 5.691 at 255.73 mph.

“What a race in the final,” said O’Bannon. “I have to give Harker credit, he had his hot rod running good, and he cut a hell of a light in the final. Our game plan was to stay consistent and try to cut a light in the final. That’s exactly what we did, just Harker did it a little better.”

“We’re all very pleased with the direction this Tequila Patrón/Forest River RV’s team is going,” O’Bannon continued. “Here at Jack O’Bannon Racing, our goal is nothing less than winning, but you can’t get to that level overnight. The team has made measurable gains in progress this year. We’re going to keep on working at it until we get there.”

“It was nice to make the final of a national event,” O’Bannon added. “It definitely helped us in the points as well.”

The strong showing moved O’Bannon to sixth in national points standings. After racing back to back weekends, the team will get a couple of weeks off before heading back to the Pacific Northwest for the Division 6 event at Pacific Raceways in Seattle, Jun. 19-22. O’Bannon is currently second in Division 6 standings.

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.HoosierTire.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