Sweat on Rob Edwards’ brow isn’t for effect.

It’s earned during a full-tilt indoor soccer match on the north side of Indianapolis. The Schmidt Peterson Motorsports team manager is among the weekly warriors to play on a squad comprised of personnel from IZOD IndyCar Series teams and the sanctioning body.

Maybe they’ve lost that youthful step, but effort and determination isn’t lacking in a league that brings together competitors of all abilities.

“We’re all used to being competitive during the season so it’s a great opportunity to be competitive in a different environment with different people,” Edwards said. “Rivalries we have during the season, it’s a chance to put those to one side and focus on a common goal.

“We have people from Andretti (Autosport), KV (Racing Technology), Ed Carpenter (Racing), INDYCAR … you get a real mix. It’s a lot of fun and we play hard.”

It’s also a great diversion. Soon the focus will shift to the IZOD IndyCar Series season that opens March 24 with the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

“It’s a great way to break a sweat and get to know individuals from some of the teams away from the racetrack,” INDYCAR vice president of technology Will Phillips said. “Everybody is so busy on a race weekend that you basically only say ‘Hello’ and it’s off to the next thing. This (league) is fun, as it's meant to be.”

Soccer Fun