Your exactly right. A certain multi time USAC championship team wouldn't make the west coast swing unless they were third or better in points or had a legitimate shot of taking third by the end.

Most that do go other than the top five, Go for the Prestige of the Oval Nationals and the big purse.

I'd love to see multiple out of area teams running sprint week. There are ways to get some. Higher purses, Higher tow money for teams outside 500 miles. But there is also another hitch. It's basic USAC 32-40 car format Four heats, consi and feature. Not condusive to bigger counts. Some are starting 10-12 cars and only 8 laps.