.Bob Pockrass.FOX NASCAR Insider.The greatest issue of those defending a playoff spot in the NASCAR Mug Set is that a chauffeur who isn't remotely in the mix safes into the playoffs along with a distressed victory.Hello, Austin DillonDillon, who was 32nd in the status entering Richmond, placed themself in the playoffs along with a triumph-- albeit a controversial one-- on Sunday, the 23rd nationality of the 26-race regular season.Following Richmond, three ethnicities continue to be to put the playoff farmland: Michigan, Daytona and Darlington.The NASCAR playoffs include 16 chauffeurs-- the regular-season champion and after that the next 15 chauffeurs ranked through success along with ties violated by points.With the top seven drivers in the status all having at the very least one triumph, the regular-season champion more than likely will be one of the champions. Thirteen vehicle drivers have actually gained this year, implying up to three areas can be available on points. Therefore that resides in, that gets on the bubble and that is at win-at-all-costs? Those 13 drivers 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 transformed significantly along with Dillon's success as right now maximum just three locations-- not four as before the Richmond competition-- may be accessible to winless motorists. Both Chris Buescher as well as Ross Chastain fell under the cutline while Bubba Wallace moved to the good side of being just one of the 3 winless motorists with the most points.Joey Logano talks about Austin Dillon's overtime relocate to gain the Cook Out 400 So that let's specify: There are five winless motorists that will be combating for the existing three locations on call exclusively on points.Martin Truex Jr. has a 78-point side on the cutline (currently Buescher as well as Chastain), with 60 factors on Ty Gibbs, who is actually 15 points above Wallace. Buescher and Chastain, incorporated the status, are 3 factors behind Wallace.In other terms, it's going to be a battle to the finish.Buescher won at Michigan and also Daytona in 2015, however those additionally are actually spots where Wallace customarily has actually operated properly. Gibbs still finds his first occupation Cup win. Chastain is the driver along with the absolute most latest adventure in playoff stress scenarios, where he mainly has confirmed he can easily create traits happen.There are actually 16 other playoff-eligible motorists that pretty much skin must-win circumstances: 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 deals with NASCAR for FOX Sporting Activities. He has spent many years covering motorsports, including over 30 Daytona 500s, along with assignments at ESPN, Sporting Headlines, NASCAR Setting journal and The (Daytona Seashore) News-Journal. Follow him on Twitter @bobpockrass. Receive more from NASCAR Mug Series Follow your favorites to receive info regarding video games, updates and even more.