New Champ Car team in works?

UPDATE #3 This rumor is downgraded to 'false' today and Chris Mower tells AutoRacing1.com, "My associates did a fantastic job in obtaining genuine interest from numerous major corporations, some of which reached the contractual stage and others who verbally agreed to co-sponsor status for a significant investment of capital or services.

"Unfortunately, I received news Saturday that the corporation who was at the center of the proposal and whom we had been exchanging contracts with over the past month, has decided to suddenly decline the proposal.

"The main reason for the associate sponsors involvement was to have an opportunity to work with the major sponsor, therefore the proposal has collapsed around the decision of the key corporation to pull out. My associates are no longer prepared to commit the financial resources required to continue searching for further sponsorship and it is with regret that I inform you MJM Motor Sports will be put on hold for the indefinite future."

06/24/07 We bumped into Chris Mower today in Cleveland and asked about his Champ Car team aspirations. "Yes, we are making progress. Conservatively I would say we are better than 50/50 it will happen, but we are not there yet. We won't do it unless we can do it right and that means a 2-car effort with the proper budget. We don't want to be a burden to Champ Car and want to come in with a properly funded effort," said Mower. We asked if his father would also be involved and he said, "absolutely."

04/13/07 Conquest team owner Eric Bachelart confirmed to us on Friday that Chris Mower in fact did depart his team in November and that he heard Mower was working with some investors to put a team together.

04/13/07 Rumor has it that longtime Champ Car Team Manager Chris Mower and his father Derrick Mower are trying to start a Champ Car team. Mower was most recently Team Manager for Conquest Racing and his father owned the Nordic Formula 3000 team years ago.