More RPM allows you to use more gears (at the expense of less torque.) The only way to potentially go faster is to make equal or more power at a higher RPM.
As far as you running 1st gear, you change the ratio, so that wouldn't apply anyway to 100% of all other racers out there if they tried to run 1 - 4. I didn't check the ratio, but is your 1-4 similar to a billet 1-4?
I'd guess your using 1st to slow wheel speed (and lockup speed) on launch, and probably works better with your launch limiter, where it can be all or none leaving in 2nd.
Furthermore, I think these topics are just you killing time while you recover.
Off topic:I don't know if anyone else has mentioned, but thanks for your service to our great country!