As mentioned the spectator attendence at local tracks is down over 90% from the haydays of dragracing.It's is more of a partisipant sport and you see even at large events the crowds are light.Even NHRA is having trouble filling the stands.The sport loses more fans and racers every year and many of the events are going by the wayside or struggling.The cost is driving racers and fans away also.
To have an event that guarentees the payouts and extras no matter what the car count is as well as gives fans something to enjoy for their attendence will help keep the sport alive and provide a venue for racers to be recoginized for their investment,hard work and accomplishments.
Always consider the hard work and investments as well as the risk that the promoters and track owners take on when having these events.Like the racers,the promoters arn't getting rich either.