INDIANAPOLIS — During the month of May, all eyes are on the drivers on the track.
Another group of drivers, however, is drawing attention on the pickleball court.
We're talking about the Indy Drivers, one of 12 teams in the National Pickleball League.
It's a simple game of back and forth, but it has become one of the fastest growing sports in the world.
Heather Iffert, of Carmel, is one of the newest Drivers.
"I love the pace of it," Iffert said. "It just keeps me active, and I love it."
The NPL is reserved for athletes 49 years and older. In Indianapolis, the Drivers have a roster of 16 athletes from across the country. Four of them live in central Indiana.
As a team, the Drivers travel the nation competing in weekend-long matches, starting May 17 in Chicago.
Husband and wife ownership team Phil Cohn and Paula Nahmias will be there alongside their team.
"With us living in different cities, we get together before the matches that we play and have a lot of good time to practice," Cohn said.
Rick Witsken, of Zionsville, plays for the Drivers.
"That first practice for us on Friday at 2 p.m. is going to be really important for the Indy Drivers," Witsken said.
This is only the second year for the NPL, but in the league's inaugural year, the Drivers brought home the first-ever NPL national championship.
"We were very proud to be the first champion," Cohn said. "We are very proud to be part of the NPL and part of pickleball history."
"It just seemed like it was a story written for the ages," Witsken said. "It was probably one of my most memorable sports experiences, even though I've played pro tennis and pickleball for a long time."
Witsken also co-founded the NPL, which he says is not going away any time soon.
"It's not slowing down," Witsken said. "Jump on, even if you're a little late to the party."
"It's a great sport," Cohn said. "It's just a lot of fun. To me, it's kind of like tennis of old days, that same touch and feel."
The league is complete with a player draft, typically held a few months before the start of each season.
"What I love about it is I think you can be successful on the pickleball court right off the bat because of the smaller space," Iffert said.
Plus, in a city that loves its racers and Pacers, the Drivers just make sense.
"Well, it just seemed to fit," Cohn said with a laugh.
"I'm a big sports fan and a big race fan, too," Iffert said. "So, 'the Indy Drivers,' that was cool. Oh, and the month of May, great!"
Team leaders say most of the 2024 competitions are located in the Midwest, in cities like Cincinnati, Ohio, and Kansas City, Missouri.
"We were lucky enough to draft a really strong team, and we'll see how it plays out this year," Cohn said.