Thanks for the memory jog Dr C, it was Scott Kalitta. After I saw the video the first time, I had to wonder why in the heck anybody would design a drag strip like that with a wall at the end, knowing that could be possible .[S Space limitations I guess. I've seen other tracks with insufficient shutdown areas, but at least they were flat, if you ran off the end you would end up in a farmer's field or something, not into a solid wall.
I'm with you on 1000' racing, I don't see the point. We have mostly 1/8th mile tracks around here, plenty long for good racing, and the math is the same no matter where you go or what you run. There are a couple of 1/4 mile tracks in state, but they usually run 1/8th mile unless they are having some kind of special event.