GM did the shock staggering originally back in the 1960s for the Trans Am Road racing cars, it helped thier lap times There have been some drag cars try the shocks mounted in the front but we don't see that anymore
You might want to check out the latest built heads-up cars. Quite a few leaf spring cars have gone with the shocks in the front.
Brett Miller W9 cnc'd heads STR Chassis fabraction
There have been some drag cars try the shocks mounted in the front but we don't see that anymore 
