.Bob Pockrass.FOX NASCAR Insider.The most significant concern of those defending a playoff location in the NASCAR Cup Series is actually that a motorist who isn't remotely in the mix safes right into the playoffs along with a dismayed victory.Hello, Austin DillonDillon, that was actually 32nd in the status entering Richmond, placed himself in the playoffs along with a success-- albeit a disputable one-- on Sunday, the 23rd race of the 26-race frequent season.Following Richmond, three ethnicities stay to set the playoff field: Michigan, Daytona and also Darlington.The NASCAR playoffs contain 16 motorists-- the regular-season champion and afterwards the upcoming 15 drivers rated by wins with dead heats violated by points.With the leading 7 drivers in the status all having at least one triumph, the regular-season champ likely is going to be among the victors. Thirteen vehicle drivers have succeeded this year, indicating as much as three spots could be on call on points. Therefore who remains in, who gets on the blister and also who goes to win-at-all-costs? Those thirteen motorists with victories 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 blister changed significantly along with Dillon's victory as today maximum merely 3 spots-- not 4 as prior to the Richmond race-- could be available to winless vehicle drivers. Both Chris Buescher and Ross Chastain fell beneath the cutline while Bubba Wallace transferred to the good side of being one of the 3 winless motorists along with the most points.Joey Logano reviews Austin Dillon's overtime transfer to gain the 400 So that let's specify: There are actually 5 winless motorists that would certainly be actually fighting for the current 3 places on call solely on points.Martin Truex Jr. has a 78-point edge on the cutline (currently Buescher and also Chastain), with 60 aspects on Ty Gibbs, who is 15 points above Wallace. Buescher and also Chastain, incorporated the standings, are actually three aspects responsible for Wallace.In other phrases, it's heading to be a fight to the finish.Buescher won at Michigan and also Daytona in 2015, however those likewise are actually places where Wallace commonly has operated well. Gibbs still finds his 1st profession Cup win. Chastain is the driver along with one of the most latest knowledge in playoff tension situations, where he mainly has verified he can make traits happen.There are 16 various other playoff-eligible vehicle drivers that virtually skin must-win scenarios: 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 devoted many years dealing with motorsports, including over 30 Daytona 500s, with stints at ESPN, Sporting Updates, NASCAR Setting magazine and The (Daytona Coastline) News-Journal. Observe him on Twitter @bobpockrass. Obtain even more coming from NASCAR Mug Series Observe your preferences to obtain information about games, information and even more.