Why are people scared of the drag strip?

I know my wife is. The other day we was talking about my car and when I get it finished how I want to take it to the Bristol 1/4 mile track they have a Saturday night street shootout race. Its run what you brung no rules single elimination type bracket racing. I think the only rule was it had to be tagged and titled. But anyway she was like I dont think that's a good idea what if you spend all this time and money and wreck it or blow it up or break something?
The only race she ever went to the track with me was a super 6 race it was cars faster than 6secs (1/8) and these cars were violent ! Several of them bounced of the walls and one actually wrecked into another car. So that's her idea of what drag racing is.
Well I don't want to say she said everything my friends said LOL
when I talk to my friends I certainly let them know that they don't have to make some kind of all out pass the first time down the track. They can just leave at the line and take a normal Drive...
I think if there's anybody driving their car on the public highway that can survive a couple quarter mile passes are probably dangerous....