Nitrous is not a universal cure-all for the slows.... Many classes don't even allow a bottle to be in the car, let alone be used.... As for the street, too easy to overpower the tires without nitrous on most of the lousy streets, unless you're in to big smoky burnouts...

I've ran with it and ran without it.... when set up correctly with a quality system and controllers and used at a moderate level it is safe, but it's certainly not the only way to go fast!!!! To imply that you can't win a race without it is absurd!!! Horsepower to weight, a properly set up chassis along with a driver that can get off the lights and keep the car in the groove is still the closest you'll find to a "guaranteed" winner.... I've trailered more then a few sprayed cars when the tuner's desire to go fast overpowered the available traction, and/or the driver's abilities!!!!!