.Bob Pockrass.FOX NASCAR Expert.The biggest issue of those defending a playoff area in the NASCAR Mug Series is that a chauffeur that isn't from another location in the mix safes in to the playoffs with a distressed victory.Hello, Austin DillonDillon, that was 32nd in the status entering into Richmond, put themself in the playoffs along with a success-- albeit a questionable one-- on Sunday, the 23rd ethnicity of the 26-race normal season.Following Richmond, 3 races remain to set the playoff farmland: Michigan, Daytona and Darlington.The NASCAR playoffs contain 16 drivers-- the regular-season champ and afterwards the upcoming 15 vehicle drivers placed by triumphes with ties broken by points.With the leading seven drivers in the standings all having at the very least one success, the regular-season champ more than likely is going to be just one of the winners. Thirteen motorists have gained this year, implying approximately 3 spots might be readily available on aspects. Therefore that's in, that's on the blister and who is at win-at-all-costs? Those 13 drivers along with triumphes who remain in: Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, William Byron, Christopher Alarm, Ryan Blaney, Hunt Elliott, Tyler Reddick, Brad Keselowski, Alex Bowman, Joey Logano, Daniel Suarez, Austin Cindric and Austin Dillon.The blister altered considerably along with Dillon's triumph as right now maximum simply 3 places-- certainly not 4 as just before the Richmond competition-- can be offered to winless chauffeurs. Each Chris Buescher as well as Ross Chastain fell below the cutline while Bubba Wallace transferred to the good side of being one of the three winless drivers along with the absolute most points.Joey Logano explains Austin Dillon's overtime move to succeed the Cook Out 400 Thus permit's get to the points: There are 5 winless chauffeurs that would certainly be actually battling for the existing three spots offered solely on points.Martin Truex Jr. has a 78-point side on the cutline (currently Buescher as well as Chastain), with 60 points on Ty Gibbs, that is actually 15 aspects over Wallace. Buescher and Chastain, tied in the standings, are 3 points responsible for Wallace.In various other words, it is actually heading to be a fight to the finish.Buescher won at Michigan and also Daytona in 2013, yet those likewise are actually places where Wallace generally has actually managed properly. Gibbs still seeks his initial occupation Mug win. Chastain is the motorist along with the most latest knowledge in playoff tension situations, where he typically has actually confirmed he may make factors happen.There are 16 other playoff-eligible vehicle drivers who essentially face must-win circumstances: 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 also Zane Smith.Bob Pockrass deals with NASCAR for FOX Sports. He has actually spent decades dealing with motorsports, featuring over 30 Daytona 500s, with stints at ESPN, Sporting News, NASCAR Setting journal and also The (Daytona Seashore) News-Journal. Follow him on Twitter @bobpockrass. Get even more from NASCAR Cup Set Follow your favorites to receive relevant information about video games, news and even more.