Why not run this race like an old Saturday night short track race?
Divide the total number of entrants (typically 43 – 45) by 3 “heat” races (15 laps ea. – $50K to win each)
The top 7 finishers in each “heat” advance to the big show (21 total)
Run a 10 lap “consi” (2nd chance) with the remaining unqualified cars, top 5 finishers make the big show, $50K to win.
Feature race – 26 cars to start – 40 laps with 1 mandatory “green flag, 4-tire” pit stop, caution laps don’t count. $100K bonus to the pit crew with the fastest, error -free stop.
Oh yeah, to make it more interesting, how about a $100K bonus to the leader at laps #10, #20, and #30.
$1 million to the winning driver.

Like they used to run at tracks in the Northeast, but with Big Money – now that would be exciting.