If the information is stored at some value of bits per cm... There's less bitrate (bits per revolution) in the middle of the record vs the outer edges.
Putting your most complex, frequency-dense track at the end of a side is engineering malpractice
Sure, that's why you don't find complex and/or dynamic songs like Stairway to Heaven, When The Levee Breaks, A Day In the Life, Jungleland, Won't Get Fooled Again, You Can't Always Get What You Want, Purple Rain, etc. as the last song on the album, or side. Oh, wait...
I'm not saying there aren't engineers/producers who never put the ease of their jobs ahead of musical decisions, but musical artists whose artistic vision is more important than simple commerce aren't concerned about "engineering malpractice." The engineer serves the musical vision of the artist, and whining about "inner ring distortion" isn't going to go far.
I've been in A&R meetings with internationally famous, Grammy winning engineers, producers, editors, etc., and have NEVER heard any of them voice concerns about programming based on "inner ring distortion."