Oh wow! An old cheater trick used in heads up class racing. Gives you more roll out. Which gives you more of a running start at the light. Lowers Et but adds to your Rt. Which would help in qualifying. In our heads up snowmobile racing they would actually check us for staggered spindles and or other front end parts. Not legal! lol
My guess would be the sign painter was either Chuck O'Neil or Jack Tolson. Both were from Warren and both were excellent at lettering and striping. Jack recently passed away