O'BANNON RE-SIGNS PATRON
Wed, 2007-10-31 11:00
Former five-time NHRA World Champion team owner Jack O'Bannon announced today
that his two-car NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car team will continue to carry Tequila
Patrón as the team's primary sponsor in 2008. Current drivers Sean O'Bannon and
Alexis De Joria will once again be at the controls of the 250 mph Dodge
Chargers.
This
season marked the first year for Jack O'Bannon Racing in the Top Alcohol Funny
Car ranks. After winning five NHRA World Championships with Rick Santos as his
driver in Top Alcohol Dragster and finishing second nationally last season with
son Sean behind the wheel, the team made the 'full' switch to the Funny Car
ranks this year. The team started the year with intentions of running one car
in both categories, but opted to go with a two-car Funny Car team after the
season's first event.
"I
am extremely pleased to know that the great people at Patrón Spirits will
continue on with us next year," said O'Bannon. "This team has come a long way
this year and we look at the Pomona race as the first race of our new year.
This is a winning combination and the cars will see the winner's circle next
year."
Former five-time NHRA World Champion team owner Jack O'Bannon announced today
that his two-car NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car team will continue to carry Tequila
Patrón as the team's primary sponsor in 2008. Current drivers Sean O'Bannon and
Alexis De Joria will once again be at the controls of the 250 mph Dodge
Chargers.
This
season marked the first year for Jack O'Bannon Racing in the Top Alcohol Funny
Car ranks. After winning five NHRA World Championships with Rick Santos as his
driver in Top Alcohol Dragster and finishing second nationally last season with
son Sean behind the wheel, the team made the 'full' switch to the Funny Car
ranks this year. The team started the year with intentions of running one car
in both categories, but opted to go with a two-car Funny Car team after the
season's first event.
"I
am extremely pleased to know that the great people at Patrón Spirits will
continue on with us next year," said O'Bannon. "This team has come a long way
this year and we look at the Pomona race as the first race of our new year.
This is a winning combination and the cars will see the winner's circle next
year."
With
two semifinal finishes under their belts, the team is pleased with the progress
they have made, but far from satisfied. Team Crew Chiefs Randy Anderson and Sam
Shockley have worked relentlessly to put the Tequila
Patrón Dodge Chargers at the top of the pack. The long hours of work started to
show signs of progress during a recent test session that has both drivers
excited about finishing the year strong and the possibilities in
2008.
"We've
been fighting a lot of tireshake lately," Sean O'Bannon commented. "Randy and
Sam kept changing things on the car until they found a few things the car really
responded to. Both cars ran some great numbers in testing, so we're really
excited about what the future holds for this
team."
"We've
came a long way," added De Joria. "It's been a struggle at times. Personally,
it was a big jump for me into this class. Jack put together a great team for me
to learn from, and I've learned a lot this year. That's what this year was all
about, for me to learn as much as possible and get seat time. Hopefully next
year we can become more competitive. Jack O'Bannon and his team have been great
to work with and I look forward to working with him next year. We're all
excited about the possibilities next year for this Tequila
Patrón Dodge Charger. The more seat time I can get and the more I can learn,
the better."
In
addition to the Tequila
Patrón sponsorship, Sean O'Bannon's car will also receive associate sponsorship
from Forest River RV's. The team will finish the year at the
season-ending Automobile Club of Southern California Finals at Auto Club Raceway
in Pomona, Calif., this weekend.
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