There's a lot of money and egos tied up in this thing coming back. Asking SpaceX for a ride is something NASA REALLY doesn't want to do.
I wonder what they real (as opposed to what they tell the press) success percentage NASA and Boeing brass are prepared to accept to make this test end "successfully". 80%? 85%? If they get it down with those guys on board, it's just some hicups that can be fixed with more money. If Elon brings them home, I bet WLJ is right, Starliner is dead. Of course if they pull a Cdr. Shepard* in the upper atmosphere, NASA and Boeing will get congressional hearings that make what the USSS went through this month seem calm and friendly.
*Pop Culture Reference to the
beginning of Mass Effect 2.