Too bad the majority of the Civic crowd is so programmed toward drag racing that they miss out on the true potential of the car.
Unless you have a unibody drag Civic (which is not a real car, but a dragster), you will not compete in the 8s with the F-body/Mustang/Muscle crowd in the 1/4.
At it's small size and weight, the Civic can make an excellent track car and does. If they put even half the money into suspension/weight reduction/brakes instead of blowing a 4 banger to 600+HP, that car can compete against some of the best.
Their loss.
I would never buy a Civic with the purpose of drag racing. I would buy one as a great, cheap starter car for track days. But I guess this is the good ole US of A where HP rules, Nascar enjoys popularity, and people buy Civics to drag race.