I am with Fly Fish, and old Man Rick. I too have played it both ways.There is a bit of excitment running people down, but man, even with cross over I hate to wait.Yes, having the race in front of you is good, but the faster the car, the harder to judge the finish line.
Last year was the 1st year of being 1st to leave against most the cars in my class S/Pro.
1st I personally like the clean tree (my light 1st).How often do you red light anyway? I also like playing the finish line, it is way more fun getting run down, I truely feel like I am in control. because I am getting there 1st.
As for fast dragesters, bring them on. I say the bigger the car the harder the fall!
Yes, with dragesters, you can't play the finish line, you have to put a real number on the car, what I call my dragester package (tight number, look straight ahead, and don't lift). But it does work.You do need to watch them in the mirror, because I made that mistake once and broke out by 1 thou. while the guy was still at 1/2 track, because he spun, and ran a 14 second pass on a 7 something dial. But once they are in range, I look staright ahead, and say to myself "don't lift" over and over as I cross.
If I had my choice, and I do. I would rather be run down.