Where's My Ribbon?  

Agreed Joe.  And here's a classic example: years ago I was helping out on Daryl Lewis' car at Shangri-La.  Not really pit crew, but just kind of hanging around, taking pics, and helping load the car etc.  One year at the Southern Tier 200 (big end of year race) he didn't qualify.  And he was furious at himself and how they would show up late at times, not getting in the seat time in practice needed to dial in the car.  The nature of his fury was "we are either going to actually freaking do this and get serious about it, or hang it up, and I am not ready to hang it up."  They got serious about finding a sponsor, getting a good engine, and doing the midweek work needed.  He eventually became a multi time feature winner, and now his sons and grandkids are successful racers as well.  Point being, nont qualifying gave him the impetus to improve.

Now, it is possible that some drivers who seem to never qualify may say "enough" and close up shop - actually, I know that has happened.  So I wonder if having a nonqualifiers race that maybe pays the top 5 positions enough to cover at least tow money may keep some of these drivers going?  Certainly it would give them additional seat time and for a lot of them, that's what they need to improve.