I think the Heads up format was great. Would hate to see it evolve into bracket racing.
You can bracket race or watch bracket racing at any track any weekend. The Fest being a special event, is much more exciting to use a heads up format, and throw in some Grudge. If the cars get bunched together in such tight brackets then do dial ins...might as well hand out participation trophies and bore the fans to death. This version VIII of the Fest had great participation, and fans in the stands... huge accomplishment!
Maybe some fine tuning. Certainly not a great idea to have guys and girls in shorts and flip flops in the same class as cars running 4 seconds quicker in full safety gear. I'm sure they will sort that out.
Awesome event, can't wait till next year. Make it hotter please, adds to the challenge. And it makes the beer at Double Dogs taste even better at the end of the day.