Not only is it offer another good passing zone, it is safer in many respects. when it rains one of the last spots to dry is the but stop, also on the first hot lap its difficult getting cars sorted by then and its always two wide.
However, from a club standpoint if its a big race they can get more cars on the track due to the additional length of the track. Not much but a car or two.
Sadly when it rains and the bus stop is a danger, its hard to get SCCA to change the configuration, once printed in the supps.
we have been able to convince NASA to change for safety reasons.
Whenb was the last time SCCA sold out a race group at the 66 car limit, the reason to hol dthe club course because it lets you race more cars is plain stupid. We sold it out once that I remember and it was the IT Spec held on Gran Am weekend with a mixed class of racers to sell out.