IMO, there are ways to accomplish what is being discussed, faster turn around, better racing, lower costs etc.
1) Do away with the air clutch timers. Go with electronics only that can be tied to wheel rpm. Yes, that is traction control, but it will provide for more side by side runs. Furthermore, traction control will not make a good run better, it will only make a bad run better.
2) Go back to 90% (less damage).
3) Take out some wing angle or reduce wing size (less pressure on the tire). Better yet, make it a variable specification. More at some tracks and less at others.
4) Don't rebuild engines between rounds. New bullet for each round. 45 minute turn around between runs. It has been done in the past when bad weather was threatening. This does not mean 4 bullets for Sunday, only two, one in the car and one being rebuilt. Burned or crashed race car, replace it with backup car. No pit thrash to rebuild damaged car.
5) Mandate one track surface, groomed with one type of compound, from one manufacturer. A written policy on when and how a track is to be groomed.
Look this ain't rocket science, it's entertainment. In order to add butts in the stands and eyeballs on the TV, the on track product has to improve. When only one car makes it down the race track, or neither car makes it down the race track, the customer (fan) is really being cheated. This isn't the 60's, 70's, 80's, or 90's anymore, there is plenty of new technology out there to make drag racing a prime spectator sport. Someone just has to move out the old world thinkers and start over with a fresh piece of paper.
Just my .02 cents.
Pat