I get both point of views of should only build as fast as you can manage to get ultra consistent times but see that would be easier with a slower car and get how it would suck to lose to them.
In my opinion, the guy that can manage the faster car has the advantage. At my track, seems the guys chasing have a higher % of wins vs those being chased. There is a reason for it, but driving plays a HUGE part in bracket racing.