Originally Posted by Doge

Here is an approach if the goal is really getting to Cat 1 in < 8 hour/week. Do as well as focused training.

Read the upgrade policies and transfer policies for USAC real well. So will a cx Cat 1 get you a road Cat 1?
Then find the race type and length that best suits you and one you *think* you have/can get the skills for.
Come up with a plan of how you will get your points. By wins, a lot of top 5s, stage races? Big fields or small fields.
I was suggesting you leave long races out, just not enough hours in legs for those.

Then look where (venue and race) you can best get those points. Cat 2s are not the same everywhere in the nation, or in every age bracket.
Find the largest/weakest Cat 2 fields that fit your strategy.

Race there.