John,
I know full well that nothing is going to stop the USAC sprint and midget ranks from being a path to the bigger stages in the eyes of the youngsters and their parents. I would not wish or attempt "preventing young stars from moving to fenders". But that has created a disconnect between the competitors and the majority of the existing fan base. Who actually rejoices in Ricky Stenhouse's accomplishments this season? He was here long enough to catch on with the North Carolina Mafia, and now he's trading paint on the pavement.
Efforts to bridge the gap between the fans and the drivers are very welcome, as meeting and interacting with the competitors is a tangible way for people to get emotionally attached to the success in other divisions of a young man they had the oppurtunity to talk to, and share a laugh with.
But it is difficult to ask people to continue supporting drivers who they suspect are just around long enough to catch some Cup owner's eye and then jet, especially when many drivers are only a barely-seen helmet inside a sponsor-covered (maybe...) car.
It then gets to the point where what you attach yourself to over the long term is the sanctioning body that provides the racing, and USAC just doesn't have that surplus of devotion in reserve anymore, however much they once might have.
It is hard to blame those fans who have turned their back on the sanctioning bodies, and invest their loyalty in a local track or promoter only. Especially with the costs of going to races increasing by the week.