INDIANAPOLIS - James Hinchcliffe just wanted a chance to be the No. 1 driver for an IndyCar contender.Hes about to get that shot.The 27-year-old Canadian signed a multiyear contract with Schmidt Peterson Motorsports, a move that pairs one of the series most popular drivers with an up-and-coming team that has championship aspirations.Everyone wants to know if they can perform and Im putting myself on trial a little bit, Hinchcliffe said at Tuesdays announcement.Team co-owner Ric Peterson said Hinchcliffe would inherit the No. 77 car that was so successful with Frances Simon Pagenaud last season. He did not reveal Hinchcliffes primary sponsor. Terms of the deal were not immediately available.The announcement ends speculation about where Hinchcliffe would land after a three-year run with one of the leagues most formidable teams Andretti Autosport.While there, Hinchcliffe won three races and emerged as one of the series most popular and marketable drivers by embracing social media. He became the self-appointed Mayor of Hinchtown, engaged with fans and now is promoting his own beer brand Hinchtown Hammer Down Golden Ale.With all that on the table, Andretti would have preferred to re-sign the young driver. But Hinchcliffe couldnt afford to wait much longer.We are happy to have had Hinch as part of the team over the past three years and have enjoyed our successes together, Andretti said. As a former driver, I understand him having to make the decision he did, he needed to cover himself. I wish that we could have resolved a deal to secure him for 2015, but we are not in that position yet. Were sorry to see him go, but wish him the best.Last season, Hinchcliffe made 18 starts, had four top-five finishes, eight top-10s and finished 12th in points.On Tuesday, he repeatedly said he harboured no ill will toward his former team or his ex-teammates. Hinchcliffe, Marco Andretti, Carlos Munoz and Ryan Hunter-Reay did face some unique challenges in 2014. At times, they raced hard not only against the field but also against one another something Hinchcliffe said he only expects to intensify in 2015 now that they will be competing on different teams.Theyve been phenomenal teammates and even better friends, Hinchcliffe said. We beat up each other on the track and then would go out for a beer, and I think that will be the same way this year.Hinchcliffe, a native of Oakville, Ont., already has an impressive resume. He was the series 2011 rookie of the year, finished eighth in points in 2012 and 13, qualified second at Indianapolis in 2012 and 14 and had finished a career-best sixth at the series marquee race in 2012.Tuesdays move could be another big step for SPM.In just three seasons, the low-funded, upstart Schmidt Peterson team has become the biggest threat to the series power structure. Pagenaud finished fifth in points last season the best finish for a driver who didnt work for Andretti, Chip Ganassi or Roger Penske.Pagenauds recent move to Penskes team opened the door for Hinchcliffe and it didnt take long for Peterson, Sam Schmidt or general manager Rob Edwards to make the offer.Ive been aware of James since 2006, and three years ago when we looked at drivers then he was someone we looked at, Edwards said. I think hes progressed as a driver.Why make the move?Hinchcliffe said he had more experience running with a two-car team, already had some relationships with team members at SPM and, yes, dreamed of the chance to be the lead dog on a team that could win both the Indianapolis 500 and the IndyCar championship.And that was too good to pass up.It was frustrating competing against these guys the last couple of years, Hinchcliffe said. Hopefully, we can make this team grow. Bo Jackson Jersey . The 25-year-old Lu, a regular on the Japan LPGA Tour after giving up her LPGA Tour membership in 2010, shot an 8-under 64 in windy, wet conditions at Kintetsu Kashikojima. Kansas City Royals Jerseys . In mens doubles, Vancouvers Vasek Pospisil and American Jack Sock reached the quarter-finals with a 7-6 (3), 7-6 (3), 6-4 win over Croatian Mate Pavic and Andre Sa of Brazil. http://www.royalsteamproshop.com/Royals-...ld-Kids-Jersey/. -- Athletics manager Bob Melvin is already starting to run out of superlatives to describe Scott Kazmir. Salvador Perez Jersey . -- Canada played to expectation up until halftime. Cheslor Cuthbert Jersey . - Maynor Figueroa headed in a late goal to give Honduras a 1-1 draw with the United States in an international friendly Tuesday.Chicago, IL (SportsNetwork.com) - The Chicago Cubs formally ushered in another new era by introducing former Tampa Bay Rays skipper Joe Maddon as their new manager on Monday. The team also announced that Maddon agreed to a five-year contract in which financial terms were not disclosed, though ESPN reported the deal to be worth $25 million and includes incentives tied to making the postseason. The Cubs moved quickly to obtain Maddons services after the two-time American League Manager of the Year opted out of his contract with the Rays on Oct. 24, shortly after Tampa Bay general manager Andrew Friedman left the organization to become the president of baseball operations for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Maddon, who guided the small-market Rays to four playoff appearances and the 2008 AL pennant over the past seven seasons, joins a long-suffering Cubs franchise that has endured five consecutive losing campaigns and last won the World Series in 1908. This is a 1-in-107 a year opportunity for me, said Maddon during Mondays press conference. The challenge is so outstanding. How could you not want to be in this seat? The Cubs future appeared bright even before the hiring of the enthusiastic and ever-optimistic Maddon, though. Chicagos present farm system is ranked among baseballs strongest and the Cubs are expected to be significant players in free agency this offseason, something Maddon never experienced during his successful nine-year run with the low-budget Rays. Those factors, coupled with Friedmans departure and the presence of Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein -- who nearly hired Maddon as the Red Sox manager in 2004 while then Bostonss GM -- played a role in Maddons decision.dddddddddddd I knew there was a lot of common ground philosophically, said Maddon. I know that the synergy between the front office and the manager is really, really important. This is a really good fit for me personally. I feel very comfortable here. The 60-year-old takes over a Cubs team that showed improvement in Rick Renterias lone season as manager, with Chicago posting a 73-89 record in 2014 after winning 66 and 61 games the previous two years. Despite those strides, Epstein informed Renteria last week of his intention to pursue Maddon and make a switch. Renteria was offered another position within the organization but predictably declined. Even though they annually operated with one of the lowest payrolls in the majors, the Rays were a consistent contender for much of Maddons reign. Lauded for his ability to work with young players and to maximize the available talent on hand, the charismatic manager guided Tampa to six consecutive winning seasons that began with the unexpected 2008 World Series run. Joe is a combination of just about everything we look for in a manager, said Epstein. Everyone associates him with new-school because theyve used analytics in Tampa and hes so open-minded and so progressive. But this is an old-school baseball guy with a wealth of knowledge. Its hard to find old- school and new-school in the same package. The Rays, who had never won over 70 games in their first 10 seasons prior to that 2008 breakthrough, also reached the playoffs in 2010, 2011 and 2013. Maddon amassed a 754-705 overall record in Tampa Bay, easily the most of any manager in club history. ' ' '