Help understanding why my cars are so slow

Quite a bit of speed to be found in wheels and axles. It wouldn't hurt to ask for some pointer from the winners. At worst, the don't say anything. Fyi- All the info you need to be fast is here.

 

Understood, as I stated, the first year I did this, I didnt polish anything, used the oil they had at the event, and ran the fastest time I have ever seen in the last 3 years of this event. Ive done the same thing each year after, except used my own oil, which maybe is part of the issue also. Anyway, I need to build a test track I think. haha.

 

You at least need a tuning board of some sort. You can get fast without a track, you just need to be methodical and take notes. Experience helps a ton!
I always built a car along with my kids as a test mule. If it worked good on my car we incorporated it into their cars the next year.