Confusing finish leaves drivers, fans speechless (cont'd)

Nearly two hours after the race, Busch Series director Joe Balash explained why NASCAR ruled the way it did.

"Once the caution came out, the field was frozen," Balash said. "Once the field is frozen, all cars must maintain cautious pace in order to be scored. At the time that the field was frozen, [Ambrose] was in the lead. [Gordon] did not maintain a cautious pace, and by NASCAR rule, cars that do not maintain a cautious pace are scored only when they blend back into the continuous line.

"... The tower ordered the 55 multiple times to get into position. The directive was acknowledged by the crew chief of the 55 and also communicated to the driver of the 55. The driver ignored NASCAR's directive. He was warned that he would be black-flagged if he did not comply."

After trying to get Gordon to drop back in line, NASCAR dropped the green flag -- and Gordon promptly stuck a bumper under Ambrose, who went around in a cloud of smoke in Turn 2.

That incident prompted NASCAR officials to quit scoring Gordon, although he continued to run in front of leader Harvick.

"NASCAR took emergency action per the rulebook, section 12-2, thus parking the 55 which was also ignored," Balash said. "The black flag with the white cross was displayed to the 55 when it crossed the start/finish line on Lap 74. The 55 finished the line in 18th position."

"I knew that he was going to try and hit me," Ambrose said. "We were talking whether we should pull over and let him pass, but you know, I've got two laps to go and I'm trying to win the race.

"If somebody is going to take me out, they're going to take me out. If they feel strong enough, they're going to do it. I'm not going to go into it. I'm disappointed. I promised myself that I wouldn't get mad."

How hard is it not to be furious?

"I'll be in therapy for about two years I think," Ambrose said.

What had been an eventful weekend in NASCAR's first visit to the Great White North in several decades ended with NASCAR's top-level management leaving the track with serious looks on their faces, Gordon's plans to race at Pocono perhaps up in the air and Ambrose saddled with a seventh-place finish despite having the dominant car all afternoon.

"I don't know what to say," Gordon said.

He wasn't the only one left speechless after that.