The Memphis guys were here about a month ago, my son was at both races. Its a TV show plain and simple. They get to test on the road for the days leading up to filming and no on eels is allowed access to the road. As Dave said if you win 99% chance you DON'T make the show, if you loose your chances of being on TV are much much higher. Since they spend a few days testing on the road that is used the odds begin in their favor.

As for the no prep show. They keep changing the rules to try and favor the OKC cars. The set the races up to attempt to accomplish a favorable outcome for the people from the show, not the others who show. While the actual races on the track are real the events leading up to them have a definite slant. Thus all the rule changes put in place last minute for this seasons filming of the no prep show.