i think another factor to your USAC observation could be that the field tends to run very deep w/ to tier drivers and cars/teams. Getting out early and leaving everyone else to fend for themselves is a major bonus. They could just about invert the entire field most nights of ISW and there'd still be someone win from the front row or two. I'd be more worried if i were a promoter, if i only had a couple cars capable of winning.
Just saw on the news FL getting some big winds. Stay safe and hope you get a chance to get back out to a race someday.