I've just finished another weekend at the Bruton Smith Nationals, and every year I find another reason not to like it. This year, the #1 and #16 qualifiers in FC and PSB both go to the second round. Sorry folks, that's just not right in my book. And before anyone asks why I keep coming back, my opportunities for drag racing are limited, and ZMax is the closest track to me. It's fast, it's loud, it gives us a weekend in the RV, and the facility is second to none, but 4 wide just doesn't cut it for me. 20 minutes per pro class in qualifying and it's over, with no oildowns or other delays. 3 rounds on Sunday. I kind of feel like I'm not really getting my money's worth compared to a traditional track. 4 wide is just a gimmick, that's all it was intended to be, since nowhere else can do it. I just wish it would run it's course and be over.
I have an acquaintance that does announcing duties at the speedway and the drag strip. His job is to interact with the fans. He asked a lot of fans what they think of 4 wide eliminations, and according to him, the vast majority don't like it. OK for qualifying, but not on Sunday. Kind of like this forum, a few that like it, most have no use for it.