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If you start out with a new chain place it down on a piece of cardboard or your work bench. The side plates should be on the sides and the link opening up (same as on you car) take about a 2 ft section secure the ends with a clamp or screws deflect chain up, make a mark do the same down make a mark. Now you have a benchmark of a new chain compared to one that is worn. I have found that side deflection is the best way to measure (see) chain wear.
Also if running a non o ring chain after every race the chain should be washed and flushed with kerosene and then we lube them in a tray of melted grease. After the kerosene bath and before the lube job you can easily feel a worn out chain after some experience. After many years of watching chain issues we knock wood have zero/none.
The main way to make a chain last is clean and lube PLUS a good setup that doesn't stress your chain or components. Lubing a chain that is not completely clean is asking for increased wear. Also a chain should never be run too tight, bad on cranks, seals and sprockets.
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