Anyone who thinks the guys running up front in the 500 didn't earn their ride or are there simply because they are no talent ride buyers are delusional. It took serious stones and incredible talent to do what they were doing. Are there ride buyers? Of course. Hell there are ride buyers at the local tracks these days. Probably better than half of the chili bowl is made up of ride buyers.
As far as the premise of this thread take one of the young hot shoes and get them Pro Mazda and Lights experience then try to put them in the big show.