Tim,
Your original question was about getting spectators to watch sportsman racing. I am assuming that you are talking about stock, super stock, and the .90 classes ? Personally, I am 58 years old, have been a drag racing addict of sorts since I was around 15 or so, took my brand new 71 Chevelle to the track when it had less than 1000 miles on it, raced it for 7 years, built an high 10 sec 67 Camaro bracket car and raced it for almost 15 years, but ...... I still cannot stand actually watching bracket racing of any type, including S/SS and especially the .90 classes. I can watch about 5 runs, then its time to go to the snack bar
I love Pro Stock, and like both the fuel classes a lot, but watching a bracket race just is not very exciting to me.
I think that the only way you will get more spectators interested is if the classes were made to be heads up racing. Look at what Top Stock did in IHRA ! Now that was some neat racing to watch. Wheels Up stockers running heads up, first to the finish line wins. That is what most spectators understand. Try to explain to a Nascar fan why a Super Gas car leaves the line, then basically shuts down for a second, then comes back to life for the rest of the run. They will look at you like you are crazy and say that is absolutely the stupidest thing I have ever seen !!!!
Just my opinion,