.Bob Pockrass.FOX NASCAR Expert.The greatest problem of those defending a playoff area in the NASCAR Cup Series is actually that a chauffeur that isn't from another location in the mix safes into the playoffs with an upset victory.Hello, Austin DillonDillon, that was 32nd in the standings going into Richmond, placed himself in the playoffs along with a triumph-- albeit a controversial one-- on Sunday, the 23rd nationality of the 26-race routine season.Following Richmond, three nationalities stay to place the playoff ground: Michigan, Daytona and also Darlington.The NASCAR playoffs feature 16 motorists-- the regular-season champ and then the upcoming 15 drivers rated by wins with dead heats broken by points.With the leading seven chauffeurs in the status all having at the very least one victory, the regular-season champion probably will be among the champions. Thirteen chauffeurs have actually gained this year, suggesting as much as 3 spots might be readily available on factors. So who resides in, that performs the bubble as well as that goes to win-at-all-costs? Those thirteen chauffeurs with triumphes who remain in: Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, William Byron, Christopher Alarm, Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott, Tyler Reddick, Brad Keselowski, Alex Bowman, Joey Logano, Daniel Suarez, Austin Cindric and Austin Dillon.The blister altered significantly along with Dillon's triumph as right now maximum just 3 areas-- not 4 as before the Richmond race-- can be accessible to winless motorists. Each Chris Buescher and also Ross Chastain fell beneath the cutline while Bubba Wallace transferred to the good side of being among the three winless motorists along with the best points.Joey Logano goes over Austin Dillon's overtime move to succeed the Cook Out 400 Therefore permit's get to the points: There are actually 5 winless vehicle drivers that would be fighting for the current 3 locations readily available only on points.Martin Truex Jr. possesses a 78-point side on the cutline (presently Buescher and Chastain), with 60 aspects on Ty Gibbs, that is 15 aspects over Wallace. Buescher and also Chastain, tied in the standings, are 3 factors behind Wallace.In other terms, it's visiting be actually a battle to the finish.Buescher succeeded at Michigan as well as Daytona in 2013, however those additionally are actually spots where Wallace typically has operated effectively. Gibbs still finds his first profession Mug gain. Chastain is the motorist with one of the most current adventure in playoff stress scenarios, where he mainly has verified he can easily make traits happen.There are 16 other playoff-eligible motorists that more or less face must-win situations: Chase 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 Seeker Nemechek, Harrison Burton and Zane Smith.Bob Pockrass deals with NASCAR for FOX Sports. He has invested years covering motorsports, consisting of over 30 Daytona 500s, along with jobs at ESPN, Sporting Headlines, NASCAR Setting publication and The (Daytona Beach) News-Journal. Observe him on Twitter @bobpockrass. Acquire even more from NASCAR Mug Series Observe your preferences to acquire information about activities, updates and more.