Sean O'Bannon Las 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 PatrÃ"n/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 PatrÃ"n 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.

-credit: job