.Bob Pockrass.FOX NASCAR Expert.The biggest problem of those defending a playoff location in the NASCAR Mug Set is that a motorist that isn't remotely in the mix vaults into the playoffs along with a dismayed victory.Hello, Austin DillonDillon, who was actually 32nd in the standings going into Richmond, placed themself in the playoffs with a triumph-- albeit a disputable one-- on Sunday, the 23rd nationality of the 26-race regular season.Following Richmond, 3 ethnicities remain to place the playoff ground: Michigan, Daytona and also Darlington.The NASCAR playoffs are composed of 16 motorists-- the regular-season champ and then the upcoming 15 drivers ranked through triumphes along with ties broken through points.With the top seven vehicle drivers in the status all contending minimum one victory, the regular-season champ most likely will be one of the winners. Thirteen motorists have actually gained this year, implying up to 3 areas may be accessible on factors. So that's in, who gets on the blister and that goes to win-at-all-costs? Those thirteen chauffeurs along with victories who remain in: Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, William Byron, Christopher Bell, Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott, Tyler Reddick, Brad Keselowski, Alex Bowman, Joey Logano, Daniel Suarez, Austin Cindric and also Austin Dillon.The bubble changed considerably along with Dillon's success as now at most just three spots-- certainly not 4 as before the Richmond race-- can be readily available to winless vehicle drivers. Each Chris Buescher as well as Ross Chastain fell under the cutline while Bubba Wallace moved to the good side of being one of the three winless vehicle drivers with one of the most points.Joey Logano explains Austin Dillon's overtime relocate to gain the 400 So let's get to the points: There are 5 winless vehicle drivers who will be actually battling for the present 3 locations readily available solely on points.Martin Truex Jr. has a 78-point edge on the cutline (presently Buescher and Chastain), along with 60 factors on Ty Gibbs, that is actually 15 aspects above Wallace. Buescher and Chastain, tied in the standings, are three aspects behind Wallace.In other terms, it is actually going to be a match to the finish.Buescher gained at Michigan and also Daytona last year, but those also are locations where Wallace typically has actually operated well. Gibbs still seeks his first job Cup gain. Chastain is the driver with one of the most latest expertise in playoff stress scenarios, where he mainly has proven he may make traits happen.There are actually 16 various other playoff-eligible chauffeurs that more or less face must-win situations: Pursuit Briscoe, Kyle Busch, Todd Gilliland, Josh Berry, Michael McDowell, Carson Hocevar, Noah Gragson, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Erik Jones, Ryan Preece, Daniel Hemric, Justin Haley, Corey LaJoie, John Hunter Nemechek, Harrison Burton and also Zane Smith.Bob Pockrass covers NASCAR for FOX Sporting Activities. He has actually invested many years covering motorsports, featuring over 30 Daytona 500s, along with jobs at ESPN, Sporting Information, NASCAR Scene magazine as well as The (Daytona Beach Front) News-Journal. Observe him on Twitter @bobpockrass. Receive even more from NASCAR Mug Set Follow your favorites to acquire relevant information concerning games, information and also additional.