Panther hires Mower as manager

More than 30 years ago, John Barnes worked with Chris Mower's father at Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing. Now the Panther Racing co-owner will be working with Mower's son.

Panther Racing has signed the open-wheel veteran as its team manager. Since 2003, Mower worked in the same capacity with Conquest Racing.

"Chris brings a great depth of knowledge and experience to our team, and we're excited about having him," Barnes said. "What impressed me most is that he's incredibly organized, has a sound mechanical mind and has been raised in this business. He's somebody that's going to make our entire team better and operate efficiently during a time when our expectations are very high."

Earlier this season, team manager Ron Catt moved to a more hands-on role in overseeing the team's two-car Firestone Indy Lights operation. He'll remain in that role.

"This move strengthens the entire Panther Racing organization," Barnes said. "One of the reasons this move took place was because of the success and strength of our Firestone Indy Lights program under Ron Catt's direction. I've had such a long relationship with Ron that I was glad to have somebody I could trust to focus full-time on the expansion and development of that end of our operation."

Barnes first worked with Derek Mower in 1970 when Barnes was a mechanic with Mario Andretti and Mower served in the same role with Al Unser, who won the Indianapolis 500 that season. In 1974, the mechanics again worked together for Bob Fletcher Racing.