What has happened over the last 20 seasons? Multi-car teams sharing technology, increased racing expense (including traveling costs), engine leasing, and you name the
reason. You still have the one or two event qualifiers of Passey, Ancona, Pustari, Sosenka, Novelli, Haddock, Bode and etc. The year 1987 in Top Fuel saw 11 different drivers qualifying at one event.
Last year, in Top Fuel, nine drivers qualified at all events while in 1987 only four drivers qualified for all events. Last year in Funny Car 10 drivers qualified for 22 or all events while in 1987 only four did. The numbers are similar for Pro Stock in 1987 and 2005.
View the following graph entitled "Number of Unique Qualified Drivers to Number of National Events". There you will see as the number of events has risen, the number of drivers has stayed the same or decreased.
What difference does it make then? One friend bench racing with me said he didn't care if four owners each brought four cars to the show and they were the only ones qualifying. His point being, you would still see 16 high quality cars going quick and fast and being loud. He has a point. Do you really care to see different drivers and cars from all over place as long as you get your nitro fix? So the argument continues that there would be fewer slower cars, more competitive racing, and better quality cars.
Another question is, do you get tired of seeing the same drivers in eliminations? Personally, I do like seeing a variety of teams and drivers, but I seriously doubt any of the teams are getting tired of being in the show at every race. As I stated before, similar numbers of unique dragsters are qualifying, but a significantly less number of Funny Cars and Pro Stock cars. So, I can't really draw the same conclusion for all the classes...but does it matter?
The bottom line is that more than likely you are going to see the same drivers qualify and race at every event, but maybe we need to step back and see that our sport is naturally evolving. Only the best survive and continue on. 
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