I'd guess it's just a preference.

OE went to EFI who long ago? Top fuel dragsters use mechanical fuel injection. There has to be a reason to it.

Furthermore, I can only imagine (because I'm admitting to never having done it) how much "fun" it is to try and keep a carb perfectly in tune. By perfectly I mean a carb that complies with mixing any way you want it through every RPM and driving scenario.

A crank vs. power windows will both get the window up and down. How would you rather do it?