In theory, couldn't a street car be less work to race? Maybe not as fast, but something that just needs fuel and tire pressure check? Roll back to your pit, park it in the shade and drink some ice tea until the next round. You could even load slicks in the trunk and drive it to the track if it was close enough. Trick is being ok with the times it runs and not "try and make it faster". And figuring out how to make it consistent.
Full disclosure: I have almost zero experience. I have run down the track before, but nothing to the level of loading and RV and running a dedicated drag car. So I'm not pretending to know, just tossing an idea out.