While I used to disregard these races---unfortunately, now I am find myself looking at them -- and I am not so sure that's a good thing, LOL. That said, a few of these amatuer drivers are only considered "amatuer" because of a rule change many years ago. I don't know the details, and perhaps someone here can add the proper clarity -- however, I was told that X number of years ago, a regular driver could revert back to and regain his/her amatuer status, simply by forgoing their 5% earnings/winnings.
I believe this rule change applied to---Neil Glasser, David Glasser, Yogi Sheridan, Peter Kleinhans, Mark Silva, and perhaps others. If those drivers took advantage of that, than perhaps they have an advantage over the others. Maybe, maybe not. Neil and David Glasser have been driving for as long as I can remember, going back to the 90's (Neil more than Dave). Neil is certainly not a professional catch driver, but he's far from an amatuer. I've met David a handful of times, and we are certainly not friends, but thirty plus years of experience is an edge over two or three, LOL. Sure, it's still the horse, but some feel an advantage is an advantage.