Eric's cam challenge

I have NOT read 13 pages, but from a cursory look at his chart..... was it 15-20 hp difference from best to worst?
I can see a concern for a heads-up racer needing every hp he can get, but is 15hp worth this much work for a street/strip car?
Am I supposed to be unhappy when my 540 makes 685, instead of 700?
There was a 50 hp swing from 620-670 hp in the top ten was like a 25 hp swing..
Torque was a 25 lbs-ft altogether and about 15 lbs-ft in the top ten.