Part of the problem is that a lot of the drag strips were built back when a 200 mph dragster was considered fast. Now, with cars going in excess of 300, there just isn't enough stopping distance (or room to add more) should a car have troubles. Some racers are even proponents for changing all sanctioned races to 1/8 mile, partly for safety reasons, and partly for fuel savings and less wear & tear on the car/engine. Most races are pretty much determined by the 1/8 mile mark anyway, unless the car takes a dump. Plus, spectators would actually be able to "see" the finish line.

 

From what I hear a good part of the problem is insurance... they dont want to cover the 1/4 mile fast cars. A friend of mine runs the outlaw 10.5 races his car is going to be set up for the 1/8thsince mostof the races he attendsare going that way. Heanticipates breakinginto the 4s this year.. Another benefit for us in the slower classes is the waiting time is reduced, they can get more cars down the track vrs the 1/4.

 

The cars get faster.. and the track gets shorter... stupid?? or what??

 

its because of the Scot Kallita crash.
Camaro 69 pretty much summed it up.

Once these cars hit 300+ mph it becomes very scary. There isn't much stopping distance. And most of the tracks don't have more property to extend.

Plus as mentioned by camaro69, these races are never won at the end of the finish line, within the first 60feet the winner is determined

Edit
G_OD dang it, i just replied to a year old dead thread. Why was this highlighted

 

They only shortened the length on tracks which have "insufficient" braking area. The longer tracks will still run to the full 1/4 mile.

We still run the full 1/4 in Australian Top Fuel - I love going out and seeing those as often as I can, which isn't very often anymore....

 

Cool,1/4 mile has been the mark since it was raced with horses,hence the Quarter Horse.

 

The fastest 1/4 mile run I ever saw was a 3.98. in 1970. It was a rocket powered car that tripped the beams with its REAR tires and no MPH tripped because all 4 tires were off the ground! The car ended up in the sand pit. Last I heard, England was still running rocket cars now and then.