IMO give up on the drag strip. If you're gonna go drag racing buy a drag car. If you're gonna go road racing by a road race car. You can't buy one car that will be versatile enough to be competitive on both. You will have to make compromises on suspension, weight, etc. The Lotus by far is your best way to go, its great for building experience, so you can step into some pay rides.
As for the finances to get in, I was in the same spot as you coming out of college, except without so much finances. Heres a few things I learned:
1. For every $10,000 you have, you need $20,000 more.
2. Kids who have grown up with a kart strapped to their ass since they were out of the womb will make your life hell on the track, theres no room for an older guy (and by older I mean 21/22) to make a name when 16 yr old johnny has been doing this since he was 10.
3. The word no happens at least 30 times a day.
4. Prepare for broken promises, from "sponsors" who never show up with the cash to team principals who "promise" a test only to blow you off when you expect to actually do it even though you dropped their two regular drivers like a bad habit during a Skip Barber test day.
Theres some books you want to get:
http://speedtalk.com/great_money_hunt.html Best sponsor hunting book available. I ended up using the author as a sponsor hunter. You NEED a sponsor hunter, getting through to decision makers at companies is tough.
http://www.amazon.com/Inside-Mind-Gr...3300397&sr=8-1
For the mindset you will really need to win.
Theres also a book called "Fit For Motorsport" which has perfect workout routines
http://www.amazon.com/Fit-Motorsport...3300438&sr=1-1 you need to search a bit more you should be able to find it cheaper elsewhere.
Go to Skip Barber racing school. They have former F1 drivers, current Grand Am and ALMS Drivers, and more as coaches.
www.skipbarber.com the 3 day school will get you your license, or a coffin, but either way you will know what you are made of.
In the end the opportunities will come down to money. I had an opportunity to run a Porsche 911 in the 24 at Daytona... for $25,000 in sponsorship, and a full season of Grand Am GT, for $12k-$20k per race.... I ended up hooking up with a new team in Pro Formula Mazda and we worked hard to get the funding together $250,000 for a season. We never got the cash together.... just the way it is these days.