So if you scrape the tag off, sand it, and paint over it, how do they know it was ever tagged?
Smells like BS to me.
If the rules don't require a cert for the speed you're gong, then there's no reason to require a tag.
Usually, when jerks like that make up rules, I have them show it to me in the rule book. When they don't provide a rule book, I ask them where it's at, because every NHRA track is required to have one in the tech lanes.
The fat ass tech guy at Gateway tried pulling that crap on me. 20+ cars behind me in tech. When he didn't have the book I told him he had two choices. Either waddle his fat ass up to the tower and get a book, or sign my tech card. ...He signed the card.