I agree on the gear changing, don't do it. Or if you are really dead set on it go out and change them twice everyday for a week and see how you feel about it before you commit to doing it on drag week. I get cranky changing tires twice a day so I might be the wrong guy to ask lol.

I have run 3.91 gears with a 26" tire on 5 drag weeks. Just find a compromise between your motor cruising happy and your ability to hold your foot in that position for hours. My 416 was happiest at 3000RPM last year and that took such a small amount of throttle it was uncomfortable after about day 3.