Mi-Jack boss Lanigan takes NHR share.

Just days after confirming that he was to sell his stake in Conquest Racing back to founder Eric Bachelart, Mi-Jack president Michael Lanigan has accepted an offer to become a partner in multiple champion Newman/Haas Racing.

The seven-time Champ Car title-winner confirmed the deal with the Chicago-based businessman on the eve of Spring Training at Laguna Seca, and is now expected to announce that Formula Atlantic stand-out Graham Rahal will partner triple champion Sebastien Bourdais in 2007.

The American has tested extensively with NHR over the inter, but a deal has always been dependent on sponsorship. Rahal, however, is well-known to Lanigan having run with the Mi-Jack Conquest Atlantic team in 2006, and Lanigan's arrival at NHR is expected to smooth the 18-year old's graduation to the top flight.

"Paul [Newman] and I are excited to have Mike Lanigan join us," NHR co-owner Carl Haas commented, "He is a long-time open-wheel racing advocate and a very successful businessman. He will be able to contribute not only his enthusiasm for racing, but his business expertise which will open up new opportunities for the team."

As president of Mi-Jack Products Inc, Lanigan has been involved in racing since the company's first appearance in the 1992 Indianapolis 500, and for over 250 races since, as a sponsor, team owner and race promoter. Lanigan co-owned Mi-Jack Conquest Racing with Bachelart since backing the Belgian in the now defunct Indy Lights series, and the team graduated to Champ Car in 2003.

"We've worked very hard to build a good reputation throughout our 15 years in motorsports," Lanigan said, "You look at every opportunity, but only act on the ones you feel match your goals and I feel very strongly that this relationship with Paul and Carl is a win, win for everyone."