Ford 272 C.I. runs low 11's. Why do Mopar guys need 408's?

You are wrong. The faster car (more mph) has the advantage at the big end, and more of what to do and sees more - stay in it or get out of it. And much easier to cut a light in a quicker car. IF your car spins, that's on YOU.
Nope, did this stuff for years and it rarely works out that way if ever. In a field of cars where the faster cars outnumber the slower cars the slower cars most always outnumber the faster cars in the final rounds. The faster guys have more to deal with when they make a pass, it is the price of having a faster car. I used to be the slow guy and clean house and the faster I got the greater the challenge. That's probably why I have stick car with drag radials and the potential to run mid to low tens n/a if I can ever finish it lol.