I agree. The only thing I can figure is that it's a way to extract maximum dollars out of markets like Buffalo, New Orleans, St. Louis etc, and getting those cities out of the way so they don't have to worry about them on the EI Tour.
And yes, IMO, the concept has grown stale. I'm glad I saw the JT Tour in Cleveland, it was a great show. Never thought I'd see them do tracks 6-11, so that was incredible for me. But I don't feel the need to see that show again. I was wrestling with going to the Indy show, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to pass. My $ is spread more thinly than it was prior to having kids, getting married, etc.