Run them after the first main events!
First mains run with just the top 18 (or cut it to 16) that qualified in from practice. The rest run the LCQ (4 min +1lap) and the top 4 get credited with 19-22 in main #1.
Mains 2 & 3 run as is.
Less bikes going into the first corner on the first sprint mean a better chance of all the real contenders making it through.
This gives the privateers some night show time. Gives the main teams the same 50 min break that was referenced a few times. Gives the fans more racing content instead of filler content.
The only penalty is for someone that doesn't qualify well and can't improve in the 1st main. To me that is a fair penalty for not being able to throw down a good lap. This weekend really only Reed would have been affected.
Thoughts?