That's a log of good feedback. Thanks for taking the time!
You're right about the optimal strategy, and the trade-off there was forcing the player not to spin infinitely. Another way to do it quickly was to use the spins as a boost on the straights to catch up to the cars since spinning did give a boost and it allowed you to chase those cars. But, yeah, definitely just wait and attack, though that can backfire when you mistime a spin and have to follow them for a lap to get more.