If the only racing I'll do is at the strip, is there any performance benefit to swapping out the stock 16"?
There is always a performance benefit from lighter wheels no matter what the application. If you could fit smaller diameter, wider wheels over your brakes, that would be the best. However, as mentioned above, tires are probably going to make more of a difference than anything. You only need a tire that is wide enough and sticky enough to handle the power put to the wheels. I don't drag race, but very likely you will benefit from wider tires, which might necessitate wider wheels. All that being said, I don't know what the ideal wheel/tire size combo is and how much time it will net you on the strip. It might just not be worth all the money.
Well, there are more wheel options in 17", but you can get nicer, better looking wheels that are still 16", thus keeping similar tire fitment.
16x7 SSR Competition, it's a 11lb wheel or you can go 17x7.5 SSR Competition 12.5lb wheel. Trust me lighter wheel makes a difference, better braking and better mph. 16x6.5 stocker with stock size wheels sometime weight more than some regular 17" wheels with tires. You should be okay on stockers with all season tires, no need to slicks if you just want to go for fun and not set records.