One key difference between racers and most other performers is that most performers don't have to pay to put on the show. It would be like a musician that has to buy a ticket to get into their own concert. If there was no pit pass or entry fee for the driver, then no "tow money" would be necessary. Tow money is basically just a term for the minimum amount given to teams that contributed to the racing program.

Even the teams that "don't suck" have bad luck or bad nights. Somebody runs into you in a heat and dumps you, you can't repair your car to run the B main or feature race, so the promotor doesn't give you tow money. Did you suck? No, just a rough night.

Saturday night of the Klash is one of my favorite shows every year. Annually freeze my ass off, but its worth it.