Joy of an NHRA Sportsman Racer

I've been a fan of NHRA Stock Eliminator since the early 70's. I knew a couple of guys who ran it, and went to the track with them. I learned the politics of it.
I had the chance to partner on a car for two years in the mid 90's.
It's said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, expecting a different result.
I think the definition should be: knowing what goes on in Stock Eliminator, but still spending thousands of dollars and precious time doing it.
I love the concept: getting the most out of stock parts, but the execution of it is a bittersweet experience, to say the least.