I always put a small blanket on my lap when any of my dogs are on my lap... just as a precaution... I've had one or two of them decide to "throw up" while sitting on my lap watching TV.
When my dogs ride in the car they are always in a crate... a few have sensitive stomachs... usually have "clean up" in crate by the time I get to my destination.
I guess you are lucky it wasn't diarrhea, eh?