Well, that rally race is just a lark. Plus $10,000. But out west, its always been a different story. The entire reason speed limits went up after gas prices fell in the 90s was the West pressing to go back to 70.
The problem back East is that the open space is more limited. And unlike Germany, most drivers aren't expecting it. I drive quite a bit on highways in WI and I see a lot of 80, very few 85. Most are between 70 and 75.