I think there are situations where someone is just crushing it at the local level. In my case, in Dallas area, which is not the same thing as crushing it in Ames, Iowa. But then in the state-wide races, it's a bit of a crapshoot still for them. So for the local guys, it feels like sandbagging, but in the larger picture of the state, they may be a top 10 talent in the state, but no guarantees of a win because racing also has a very random element to it. Breaks, no breaks, for example.
I don't really care. But I have adopted the viewpoint that I'm better served by advancing to a higher level of racing if my legs will take me there. And my racing brain too of course.