stock for stock, the auto is generally half a second slower in the 1/4. That just means that on average, a good driver in a stick is faster than a good driver in an auto, due to things like the greater drivetrain loss of the auto, the ability to control exactly how much power gets to the wheels with the clutch on the launch, and the slightly lighter weight of the manual trans. Mostly the 5% more power to the wheels.
And fwiw, "professional" drivers pay their way. They drive what works best for what they do, as much as their wallet allows.
On the road course, manuals rule because they give the driver more control and more choices. You won't see many autos on the podium in ALMS. Just like the best bracket racers are autos I'm sure, regardless of how fast they are. Bracket racing isn't about getting there first, as I'm sure you know.
There are strengths to autos, but they lie in bracket racing more than anything else. The reason auto drivers get ragged on for not being able to drive is because it's true from our perspective - driving a manual has a whole lot more to it than driving an auto. It's a different skill set. I don't know anyone who drives a stick that can't drive an auto well, but the opposite is certainly not true - just because you can drive your own auto fast doesn't necessarily mean you know jack about driving a stick well. You could certainly learn, but not in a day and it's not a given.
There is a coordination between your right foot and your left foot and your right hand and your left hand that is not easily learned in one day in a parking lot. The first time you try to brake and downshift and steer coming in too hot to a corner, you figure that out. Hopefully you just back into the ditch slowly and don't hit anything
That said, knowing your auto and shift pattern is a skill as well, just not really that hard to pick up if one is motivated. Pat yourself on the back all you want for knowing how to steer with both hands with your foot on the floor, but I know how to balance the gas and clutch as well as how to rev match and when to heel-toe. That's not elitism talking, that's from learning how to drive an auto well and then learning how to drive a stick well. There is a hell of a lot more to driving a manual smoothly, period, end of discussion, that's all folks, please drive through.
No disrespect to anyone driving an auto. That doesn't lessen your worth or make someone a loser. Or automatically mean your car sucks. We drive what we have. Some of us had the freedom to pick and choose, and some of us got stuck with the best of what was available. I'd prefer my car was black instead of white, but circumstances made that choice for me. I don't think that means I'm less evil or something lol. At least it's a stick, I tell myself. Someone out there is running around in a black auto GT, telling themselves "at least it's black, not fairy white" lol.