Be patient ODD it will all come in time. I'm still learning this craft too. The more I spend time reading this forum and talking with other racers the quicker the knowledge comes to you. It is very easy to become overwhelmed with all of this information, we are like a sponge absorbing all that we can. Every once in awhile we need to get wrung out so we can take in new information again as we get rid of the once good information we thought was just that good information until we learn otherwise.
I will say this to all the recent subscribers/members to the NPWDRL, the best thing you can do for yourself is take a bunch of notes when building your cars. Before you send in, jot down all that you know about the car, watch it race and then watch the race again, watch the other cars on the track with you. Now, when your car makes it back to you, make adjustments according to what you seen. Biggest mistake, and we have all fallen victim to this at one time or another, is making too many adjustments at once. As much as we would like to magically tune the car with all the latest tricks, all I can say is it doesn't work like this. One tweak at a time, and if you don't have a track to tune on, this is where you are at, the good ole proven Trial by Fire method. I think you will find that your fastest racers employ similar techniques.
It will come ODD, be patient...