The day we stopped pretending was when we.
1 Went from some type of production car frame to a racing chassis.
2. when went from a production street or drag tire to purpose built dirt tire.
3. When we went from a production engine and heads with some bolt ins and modification to a purpose built race motord.

the old timers are right, You could make $$ back in the day when you had a grand total in the car and the motor and tires lasted a season.

Sprints are running for a million to win tomorrow. Based on that one race alone, You think the owner makes money on it?. NO.