True racers don't care if it's 1/8 or 1/4. If your willing to give up racing and sell everything because it switched to 1/8th, than your not a true competitor, you just enjoy making laps in a car. 1/8th mile programs are easier on equipment, draw more cars and is a quicker program. 1/8th mile racing it typically a lot closer at the strip due to the shorter distance. Some like the 1/4 because it gives them time to judge the strip better, personally I like 1/8th. I hit high gear, look once for the competitor and go off my gut as to what needs to be done to try and get that win light, no time to think. Look at all the BIG money races, not one is 1/4 mile...that should tell you something right there.