I agree totally that if you are doing it just for what you can get you sure won't last long!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And the guys who have gotten to the top and get paid for doing it had to be committed and mega talented to be where they are. There probably have been some fortunate enough that they had fewer financial restraints than the rest of us but not many people get out and beat the stuffing out of their body, rattle every bone for 2-3 hrs unless they have a love for the sport. That is why so many come and race one race and that is it for them.
I raced last year in vet class with Mideast and I DID give it everything I had and the ONLY plaque I got was at the end of year for my points finish. The year before in vet was pretty much the same....BUT I am still here thanks to God allowing me and my deep passion for the sport and a very supportive husband!!!! This sport makes me feel alive even though I think I might die at the end of a race sometimes LOL!!!!!!!!