Sounds like they are building a grudge race environment since that is where the action is these days.
In the past year or so, I've seen crowds at these no-prep/grudge/NT events grow like no other.
When too many rules are applied to a naturally unruly sport, something fizzles out. So in this case, the inevitable is returning as a street race mentality with safety barriers.
I could be wrong, but perhaps the bracket guys have been feeling a sense of boredom in their own backyard.