You are the one who lacks comprehension, or more clearly, perspective. My protégé just won SST today at the National Event in Sonoma. His family and friends who went to the Divisional the week before, vacationed in San Fran, then hung out at the Nats numbered around fifteen. Add that up, along with every car that entered both the divisional and the Nats, and figure up the economic impact those racers had on that week of racing versus a few hardcore fans that are put off by throttle stops. Money talks, crybabies walk.

NHRA can send down a set of Super class cars every minute, that means 100-120 cars in an hour...that's not much track time for the money they put in the coffers, and all the "Real Fans" are supposed to be at the concession stand, and Nitro Mall at that time anyway.

National events are the carrot that drives participation on the divisional level, but I don't expect you to see the big picture, since you can't even get out of your seat at the 60ft clocks, walk 940 feet down the bleachers, and see where the real racing takes place...