NASCAR: Is Richmond ambulance explanation reasonable?

NASCAR recently issued an explanation as to why and how the mistake with the ambulance at the pit commitment line at Richmond took place. But is the explanation reasonable?

On lap 256 during the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond Raceway in Richmond, Virginia,  the NASCAR Cup Series 400-lap regular season finale, Danica Patrick and Austin Dillon collided on the track, which caused Patrick spun out, which in turn caused NASCAR officials to appropriately throw the caution flag.

Several drivers took advantage of this caution flag period and made their way onto pit road in anticipation of fuel and tire service, which was expected given the fact that drivers typically lose over a lap when they pit under green flag conditions.

However, “the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry”, which is what happened when the drivers actually started to make their way into the pits. How? Because an ambulance was stopped right at the pit commitment line on the apron of the track, which caught a number of drivers off guard.

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Of the drivers caught off guard, the most notable one was race polesitter Matt Kenseth. He ended up running into the back of Clint Bowyer’s #14 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford, as Bowyer and a number of drivers in front of him had slowed down to take evasive action in order to avoid the ambulance.

This impact that Kenseth’s #20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota sustained damaged the radiator of the car, and it forced Kenseth’s night to end early with a miserable 38th place after it appeared as though he would have a great chance to win his first race of the season.