John Cooper, who at various times in his life was a major player in NASCAR and IndyCar, has died at the age of 83. A close friend of Bill France, Cooper served as president of Daytona International Speedway from December 1987 to July 1990 after leaving his job with Coca-Cola and was also chairman of Automobile Competition Committee of the United States. Yet he's probably most remembered for his short, stormy term as president and CEO of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway from 1979-82. Cooper took over IMS in October 1979 – right in the midst of the war between the United States Auto Club and Championship Auto Racing Teams. USAC sanctioned the Indianapolis 500 and had governed IndyCar racing...
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