I think, in this economy, that it's very tough to be FAST ....AND go to every event. Being fast requires talent, and money, for tires, testing an such. Going to EVERY race requires money, and scheduling freedom from family obligations and work. So I think it's VERY unlikely ANY class, other than maybe SM and SRF, will have more than one candidate...at best...who has both capabilities.
So, it's going to be a crap shoot. Some classes will absolutely be the "participation award", and others might go to the fast guy, because others just didn't show up. I remember years ago, the system was similar, except the tracks were more Lime Rock centralized, and an ITA driver won it. I was new, and shocked that she did, because she was never in even the top 5 at any race! I remember thinking, at the time, "Pfffft, why bother with that, it's obviously a hollow victory". Later the system was changed and I decided to go for it one year.
On the surface, a no drop strategy does strike me as a way to DIScourage people from attending NARRC events. I mean, if it isn't feasible, (and for most guys/gals these days, attending that many events is impossible...we don't live in the old world where if hubbie said, 'we're going racing this weekend', the wife and kids piled in the Suburban and went to the track. Miss a kid soccer game??Unpossible!) ...and it is going to be a joke IF you win it, why bother trying at all? Maybe I'm missing something.
I'm going to go to the cool tracks with the cool events that my buddies are going to and just have fun.