David Aldana gives Cycle Tech Racing teammate Wes Cooley last-minute advice as Cooley prepares to make his first practice laps at Indianapolis Raceway Park during a WERA National Endurance weekend in 1985. It was heady stuff for the WERA regulars to go up against such hugely popular and accomplished racers like Cooley and Aldana.

Cooley was one of the most popular racers among both fans and fellow racers alike in the 1970s and ’80s. I discovered a big reason for that popularity during the trophy presentation after the endurance race. With hundreds watching the two-time AMA Superbike Champion took the mic and told the crowd how impressed he was with the riders in the WERA Endurance series. He recieved a standing ovation and the admiration of every rider there that day.

David Aldana explains the track layout of Indianapolis Raceway Park to Wes Cooley prior to a practice session during a WERA National Endurance race weekend in 1985. (Larry Lawrence photo)