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NASCAR: Is Richmond ambulance explanation reasonable?

By Asher Fair

RICHMOND, VA - SEPTEMBER 09: Matt Kenseth, driver of the #20 Hurricane Harvey Relief Toyota, has his car worked on after a crash during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond Raceway on September 9, 2017 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)
RICHMOND, VA - SEPTEMBER 09: Matt Kenseth, driver of the #20 Hurricane Harvey Relief Toyota, has his car worked on after a crash during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond Raceway on September 9, 2017 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images) /
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RICHMOND, VA – SEPTEMBER 09: Matt Kenseth, driver of the #20 Hurricane Harvey Relief Toyota (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)
RICHMOND, VA – SEPTEMBER 09: Matt Kenseth, driver of the #20 Hurricane Harvey Relief Toyota (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images) /

NASCAR’s explanation: Reasonable or unreasonable?

Since the incident ending up not actually costing Matt Kenseth a spot in the playoffs, this situation isn’t nearly as big of a deal as it would have been if he did lose his spot. I can pretty much guarantee he would not have posted this photo to Twitter if the incident cost him a playoff spot in his final season driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, and possibly in the NASCAR Cup Series.

However, it is still a huge deal. So was NASCAR’s explanation of the incident reasonable?

What the explanation boils down to is pretty much NASCAR simply saying that the incident was a “mistake”. Yea, no kidding it was a mistake. Pretty sure it wasn’t Matt Kenseth’s idea of an early playoff party. But hey, I could be wrong; I’ve been wrong plenty of times before. I’m thinking I’m not wrong this time, though.

While the explanation as a whole would seem to make sense to the average fan, you really have to be careful when judging it at fact or fiction. Why? Because no matter how NASCAR responds to a controversial scenario like this, their statement is what is going to be deemed “official”. Is it possible that they are using that ideology to their advantage to manipulate what the public thinks? Well, that’s for you to decide.

Could NASCAR be throwing the ambulance driver under the bus to minimize the scrutiny that they will continue to receive as a result of the incident? Well, they could be, but that, too, is for your to decide if they truly are, as no fan will ever know for sure. But it does seem strange that the driver would park where he did without being told, especially since those drivers drill on where to be every race, year after year. And, after all, why was pit road not closed with the ambulance parked there? Again, that’s up for you to decide.

Next: 10 NASCAR drivers who deserve better rides

Do you think NASCAR’s explanation of the ambulance incident at Richmond was reasonable? Let us know in the comments below, and be sure to follow along with Beyond the Flag for the latest news, opinions and analysis stemming from a number of different motorsports series. You don’t want to miss any of it. Also be sure to follow Beyond the Flag on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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