Maybe I am way off base saying this but it sounds to me that they must keep racing for financial reasons. I hope I am wrong about that.
Just heard that the Mello Yellow contract is void if there are not at least 11 races completed. If that is true - financial reasons are absolutely why they need at least 3 (4 counting the one that is not complete yet) more races. Even though they will get paid for number of races completed they would get Zero unless 11 were completed. It is to NHRA's advantage to run what they can to get the Primary sponsor's money even if there are no (or limited) spectators. Beside not meeting the terms of a contract, getting future contracts really hurts the chances of survival.