They could have driven the other way, the way they finally chose to drive, parked and started to walk to Red's Meadow and the other car. I agree they probably had reasons for the choice like not wanting to lose car 1 in the fire or get stuck up a mountain on foot without the car if the fire reached them. But they did get clear advice to go the other way early on and chose to ignore it.

Glad you made it out ok.

Nope.

0. They park car 1 at Red's Meadow (top right, safe) and walk in to point 1 on the map. 1. They start a walk with friends from car 2 at this trailhead 2. They notice the fire and get advice to exit via Red's Meadow. Instead they take car 2 and drive towards the fire! 3. They realise this wasn't a good idea and turn around and go to Mammoth Trail and park car 2. 4. They stop for the night heading towards Red's Meadow 5. They walk to Red's Meadow to car 1 and exit safely

Not an easy situation and I'm sure they had reasons but they did drive away from safety towards the fire after being told not to.