"Then i went and checked out the videos and noted the vehicles and spectators lining the track at the edge of the runway."
Reminds me of those old B movies from the 50s,
See crazed drag racing pot smoking rock and rolling teens,
See them in their souped up jalopies,
See them challenging each other to chicken races on public streets in defiance of the law.
We've sure came a long way. It's still glorified street racing,just like 60 years ago.Obviously it's not a necessity, either legally or just responsibly , to run these events similar to what most of us in LSR are used to, would probably cut down on their gate, better known as profit.
When, not if, the stuff hits the fan, all of straight line speed contests will suffer.
Bob W