I have raced slow cars most of my career. Leaving first gives the other guy lots of time to lose the tree, but if I hang a red it's moot.

My Slant now runs low 13s most of the time, but I moved into Pro so I'm still being chased.

My experience is if I cut a good light and run my number it doesn't matter if I'm first or last.

I do know that when I was running a 19 second car in Gambler's races fast guys hated me.