.Bob Pockrass.FOX NASCAR Expert.The biggest problem of those defending a playoff place in the NASCAR Mug Collection is that a motorist who isn't remotely in the mix safes right into the playoffs with an upset victory.Hello, Austin DillonDillon, who was actually 32nd in the standings getting into Richmond, put themself in the playoffs with a success-- albeit a disputable one-- on Sunday, the 23rd nationality of the 26-race normal season.Following Richmond, three nationalities continue to be to place the playoff ground: Michigan, Daytona and also Darlington.The NASCAR playoffs contain 16 drivers-- the regular-season champ and afterwards the upcoming 15 chauffeurs rated through victories with dead heats broken by points.With the best seven chauffeurs in the standings all having at the very least one success, the regular-season champion likely will be just one of the winners. Thirteen motorists have actually gained this year, meaning as much as three places could be available on aspects. So who's in, who's on the bubble and that is at win-at-all-costs? Those 13 drivers with triumphes who reside 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 altered significantly along with Dillon's success as now maximum merely 3 spots-- certainly not four as prior to the Richmond competition-- could be on call to winless vehicle drivers. Both Chris Buescher and also Ross Chastain fell below the cutline while Bubba Wallace moved to the good side of being one of the 3 winless chauffeurs along with the most points.Joey Logano goes over Austin Dillon's overtime move to win the 400 Therefore allow's specify: There are five winless drivers who will be actually battling for the existing 3 places accessible solely on points.Martin Truex Jr. possesses a 78-point edge on the cutline (presently Buescher and also Chastain), along with 60 points on Ty Gibbs, that is 15 aspects above Wallace. Buescher and Chastain, incorporated the status, are 3 aspects behind Wallace.In various other terms, it's mosting likely to be actually a fight to the finish.Buescher gained at Michigan and also Daytona in 2015, yet those additionally are actually spots where Wallace typically has managed properly. Gibbs still finds his 1st occupation Cup win. Chastain is the chauffeur along with one of the most recent adventure in playoff tension situations, where he mostly has actually proven he can easily make factors happen.There are actually 16 other playoff-eligible motorists who more or less skin must-win conditions: 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 as well as Zane Smith.Bob Pockrass deals with NASCAR for FOX Sporting Activities. He has actually devoted many years covering motorsports, consisting of over 30 Daytona 500s, along with jobs at ESPN, Sporting Information, NASCAR Scene journal as well as The (Daytona Coastline) News-Journal. Observe him on Twitter @bobpockrass. Obtain a lot more from NASCAR Cup Set Follow your favorites to acquire info regarding games, headlines and even more.