In regards to tire Dope. I did it from recommendation of all the local drivers. I had many practice laps without it and traction was not to great and I could spin the rear around pretty easily. I then put a light coat on and it helped a ton. I think that part of my problem was possibly as the night went on the track had more tire dope laid down on it from all the drivers and I got more traction as it went on.
One thing I am confused about... Why would too much traction be a problem. It would seem to me that if you got no slipage at all then proper driving technique would keep it from rolling. However I can also imagine that without any slipping that pushing the edge is a lot more difficult with a thinner margin for error...