Ford 272 C.I. runs low 11's. Why do Mopar guys need 408's?

Nope, did this stuff for years and it rarely works out that way if ever. In a field of cars where the faster cars outnumber the slower cars the slower cars most always outnumber the faster cars in the final rounds. The faster guys have more to deal with when they make a pass, it is the price of having a faster car. I used to be the slow guy and clean house and the faster I got the greater the challenge. That's probably why I have stick car with drag radials and the potential to run mid to low tens if I can ever finish it lol.
Again, that's why I say a guy shouldn't build a bracket car faster than he can manage. :) And again, many have the money to go fast and it's more thrilling but can't match it with their driving, so on the trailer they go. Common.