INDIANAPOLIS -- IndyCar drivers and owners have always considered Derrick Walker to be a beacon of leadership. Now hes switching to what Walker calls the "dark" side. The well-respected former team owner was hired Monday as IndyCars new head of competition, ending the worst-kept secret in Indianapolis. Speculation that the 68-year-old Scotsman would lead the competition department kicked into high gear last week when four-time series champ Dario Franchitti, also a Scot, said Walker had been hired. Turns out, it was all true. "I know Im not going to please everybody every day," Walker said. "There are going to be some days when some people will think Im a jerk and there will be some days where I probably will be a jerk. I just hope theres more good days than jerk days." Walker takes over May 27, the day after the Indianapolis 500 is scheduled to be run and what hell find is an organization still trying to close the popularity gap with NASCAR. Until then, he will continue to serve as general manager for Ed Carpenter Racing, the one-car team owned by Tony Georges stepson. Georges family owns Indianapolis Motor Speedway and George was the founder of the IndyCar Series. Walker said he would no longer represent Will Power or Simon Pagenaud, last years IndyCar rookie of the year, as a consultant though his team would continue to run on the American Le Mans Series this season. Its a whole new start for Walker, who is now talking about containing costs and improving safety -- issues that have become annual themes since the series was founded in 1996 -- while fans continue to urge officials to boost speeds. Walkers job is finding the balance between drivers concerns, fans wishes and team limits. The good news is that drivers and owners feel like they finally have someone from their side working in the series office. "He gives you exactly what you need from that side," said Josef Newgarden, who drives for Fisher -- the only woman to own an IndyCar team. "There are two equations there. Youve got to figure out how to please the fans and the outside world and youve got to please the inside world of the drivers and teams. I think Derrick is the perfect guy for those inside the wall because he knows how to run a race team, and I think hes able to bridge that gap between the fans and the race teams." Walker started his racing career as a chief mechanic and built his reputation by working with or for some of the biggest names in racing history -- Graham Hill, Rick Mears, Roger Penske, and Al and Bobby Unser. He eventually started his own team, winning six races and 16 poles in 19 seasons. He also was a trendsetter, helping Willy T. Ribbs became the first black driver to qualify for the Indianapolis 500 and later giving Sarah Fisher a foothold in the series. And after more than four decades in racing, hes ready for a change. Those who know him believe IndyCar picked the right guy. "Derrick has done a phenomenal job for ECR," Carpenter said, referring to his own team. "He really was the architect of our team and helped us establish a very strong foundation that will continue to lead to future successes. I am confident he will do an outstanding job at IndyCar. He will be an asset there that will help the race teams within the series." Walker has a much larger challenge looming. Despite having one its best seasons on the track, the television ratings continue to lag far behind those of NASCAR. Theres little Walker can do about the television contract. The more immediate concern is getting fans to the track. Outside of a handful of venues, the series has not been drawing big crowds, something Walker believes can change if the teams are able to limit expenses. "We need to reduce the inflationary aspect of it because owners dont just get (hit with) it, the fans get it because the costs get passed on to them in the form of ticket prices," Walker said. He does not pretend to know everything. Walker said he will spend the next few weeks pulling double duty -- working to keep Carpenters burgeoning race team near the front of the pack while trying to get initiated into the world of racing executive. Walker will report directly to Mark Miles, the chief executive of Hulman & Co. and the man who made the decision to hire him. Miles said race director Beaux Barfield, Brian Barnhart, the president of IndyCar operations and strategy, and Will Phillips, the series vice-president of technology, will all now report to Walker. "I have no doubt we will be more stitched together as a team," said Miles, who was previously in charge of Indys Super Bowl committee. "I think well be a higher performing team under his (Walkers) leadership." First, though, Walker must get comfortable in a job he never dreamed of taking until Miles offered. "I am going to the dark side," Walker said, drawing laughter. "There are a lot of good people at IndyCar that have been on that side of the fence a lot longer than me." DeAnthony Melton Rockets Jersey . Cote was eligible to become a free agent Feb. 15. Cote helped running back Jon Cornish run for a league-high 1,813 rushing yards en route to being named the leagues most outstanding player. Trevon Duval Rockets Jersey . Miller finished in two minutes, 6.09 seconds, one day before the first medal race on the Alpine schedule. The 36-year-old American also turned in the top time in Thursdays opening training session. https://www.rocketsrookiesshop.com/Anthony-Bennett-City-Edition-Jersey/ .ca! Hi Kerry, Heres an interesting one. I know its common knowledge that all players are responsible for their sticks. We witnessed that when Zack Kassian hit Edmontons Sam Gagner in the face after a missed check. Steve Francis Jersey . After a lengthy wait, persistent rain finally forced the postponement of the Nationals game against the Miami Marlins on Saturday night. The teams, and a few thousand fans, waited nearly four hours from the 7:05 scheduled start time before an announcement was made shortly before 11 p. Isaiah Hartenstein Jersey . Peter Holland and Brad Staubitz were sent to Toronto on Saturday as the Maple Leafs traded defenceman Jesse Blacker and draft picks to the Anaheim Ducks. Professional Super Smash Bros. Melee player and Evolution Championship Series 2016 champion Juan Hungrybox Debiedma of Team Liquid, 23, has quit his engineering job at paper supply manufacturer WestRock to pursue a full-time career in gaming.As announced?Wednesday on his Twitch stream, Hungrybox has joined a quickly growing list of players who consider Smash their primary vocation. Hungrybox, however, will also be studying computer programming at home and hopes to forge a new career in app development or even work in the video game industry.In 2015, Hungrybox graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in chemical engineering. He then obtained a job at WestRock as part of a rotational program. While his rotations in Florida and Georgia allowed him to practice and work, his recent move to Demopolis, Alabama, was more challenging. He lived two hours from the nearest international airport, which made travel to tournaments an ordeal. Whats more, the nearest competitive Smash players were an hour away in Tuscaloosa, and the level of competition was not as high as in his former areas of residence.ddddddddddddAt the recent Smash major The Big House 6 in Michigan, it seemed like the stress in Hungryboxs life had caught up to him, as his loss to Counter Logic Gamings Zachary SFAT Cordoni apparently triggered a mental breakdown. Hungrybox had already admitted in an interview with Vice that if he placed lower than third at the tournament, he would strongly consider finding another job. His fifth-place finish sealed the deal.Based on Melee It On Mes 2015 power ranking, Hungrybox is second in the world. But with his stellar 2016 run and his Evolution Championship win, many believe he has firmly cemented himself as the best player in the world.Considering how well Hungrybox has performed this year with a full-time work schedule, he might become significantly more formidable now that nearly all his focus will be on Melee. ' ' '