Paul,
You keep talking about the point system and the two flights. FYI, by the 1956 Nats (my first) and I know that for sure we had gone to single loss elimination, pyramid........When you lost, you were "out"...... In most cases from 56 until late 60's it took from 7 to 10 wins without loss to be Nats champ...
RW
PS: I did fly in one large meet as a senior in 1954 using the 2 flight point system, and I did win it.. All other meets at the time were elimination, at least in my area!!