Sean O'Bannon Vegas preview

O'Bannon to make TAFC debut in Vegas

LAS VEGAS - Last year's No. 2 finisher in NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster, Sean O'Bannon, will be making his competition debut in Top Alcohol Funny Car during this weekend's NHRA Division 7 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at "The Strip" at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. O'Bannon hopes to complete his crossgrade licensing from Dragster to Funny Car and make a strong debut in the Tequila Patrón/Forest River RV's 2007 Dodge Charger.

O'Bannon, 28, of Fontana, Calif., is excited about making the switch to the Top Alcohol Funny Car class.

"The way the class was getting in Top Alcohol Dragster, it was very difficult to compete for a Championship with a Blown Alcohol Dragster," said O'Bannon. "We just picked up this car from Brad Hadman's this week, and it's a slick piece. It's going to take some getting used to. This weekend we just want to get my license crossed over, make some clean runs and get some data. With the team we have, our Crew Chief's Sam Shockley and Randy Anderson, and the backing of Tequila Patrón and Forest River RV's, we hope to get up to speed very soon."

O'Bannon must make one moderate pass and two full passes to complete his cross grade licensing. At the time of this release, O'Bannon has made one moderate pass of 5.94 at 215 mph.

"Obviously the first concern is getting my license taken care of," explained O'Bannon. "Once we get the car down the track, then we can start stepping on it. I really have a lot of faith in this Jack O'Bannon Racing team, so I'm looking forward to what the weekend has in store."

Qualifying will be ran on Friday, with final eliminations on Saturday.

Fast Fact:
Team Owner Jack O'Bannon has 39 national event wins and 22 divisional wins as a team owner. His previous driver Rick Santos won five-straight National Championships. Sean finished No. 2 nationally last year in Top Alcohol Dragster.

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. Patrón 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 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.

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