There are two different kinds of Drag Weekers..........those who go to participate and have fun and those who go to WIN their class. The latter now and really always has been about purpose built cars for this purpose. Sure some guys get lucky and win their class with not so serious efforts, but that is usually because some of the purpose built stuff falls out.
Each class has an ET range where you need to run to win. If you build to do that, more than likely it's going to be a serious effort piece and keeping it together a week will be hard work and require some luck. When these cars fall out, the more regular cars move up.

Ray mentioned Eddie. He is a prime example. The year he won the overall title, he was not near the fastest car there, nor even the fastest in his class. Just happened to be the fastest car that survived the week. Guys have learned a LOT since then and know more what it takes to keep one of these heaps together for a week. And that recipe is money, lack of sleep, hard work, ingenuity, never give up attitude and lots of LUCK and spare parts. Lutz put a strut on his this year on the side of the road. Maschmeier changed a cam on the side of the road in the middle of the night one year. That's dedication. Think about it..........most racers go home from the track if they break ANYTHING. These guys break any and EVERYTHING and fix it on the side of the road. It's damn HARD work to go fast for a week and drive over 1000 miles

And Ray can say whatever he wants, but a 9 sec N/A smallblock car is NOT a low dollar car. He may think it's a budget car, many would not.

Another thing we see now is guys choosing classes that are more or less "index" classes because of the chassis limits. Street Race big block power adder is an example. No funny car cages are allowed, so that means the class has an 8.50 cap because of chassis rules. Most of the "hitters" in that class have low 8 and high 7 sec rides if they really let them eat. So their goal for the week is take it easy on the equipment, keep it together and run as close to 8.50 for the week as possible. Doug Flynn is a prime example. Backyard built Nova, mediocre at best chassis, fairly heavy, but has a 1000hp best of the best big block on spray. With a tiny shot of nitrous it goes 8.50s like nothing. Has been teens with only a slightly bigger tune. With better shocks, a little chassis work and a healthy dose it would be a 7.50 car