.Bob Pockrass.FOX NASCAR Expert.The greatest issue of those defending a playoff area in the NASCAR Mug Set is actually that a vehicle driver that isn't from another location in the mix safes in to the playoffs along with an upset victory.Hello, Austin DillonDillon, that was 32nd in the standings getting in Richmond, placed himself in the playoffs with a victory-- albeit a disputable one-- on Sunday, the 23rd race of the 26-race normal season.Following Richmond, three races continue to be to set the playoff farmland: Michigan, Daytona and also Darlington.The NASCAR playoffs are composed of 16 vehicle drivers-- the regular-season champ and after that the next 15 motorists rated through success with dead heats broken by points.With the top 7 vehicle drivers in the status all contending least one victory, the regular-season champion most likely will be one of the winners. Thirteen drivers have gained this year, meaning as much as 3 areas could be accessible on aspects. Therefore that remains in, who's on the bubble as well as that is at win-at-all-costs? Those 13 chauffeurs with success who reside in: Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, William Byron, Christopher Alarm, Ryan Blaney, Pursuit Elliott, Tyler Reddick, Brad Keselowski, Alex Bowman, Joey Logano, Daniel Suarez, Austin Cindric as well as Austin Dillon.The blister transformed drastically with Dillon's victory as today maximum just 3 areas-- certainly not four as prior to the Richmond competition-- might be available to winless drivers. Each Chris Buescher and Ross Chastain fell under the cutline while Bubba Wallace transferred to the good side of being one of the 3 winless motorists with the absolute most points.Joey Logano goes over Austin Dillon's overtime relocate to succeed the Cook Out 400 Thus allow's get to the points: There are actually five winless drivers who would be combating for the current 3 places accessible only on points.Martin Truex Jr. has a 78-point side on the cutline (currently Buescher and Chastain), along with 60 factors on Ty Gibbs, who is actually 15 aspects above Wallace. Buescher as well as Chastain, tied in the standings, are 3 factors responsible for Wallace.In other words, it's going to be a battle to the finish.Buescher gained at Michigan and also Daytona last year, yet those likewise are actually places where Wallace customarily has managed effectively. Gibbs still finds his 1st job Cup gain. Chastain is actually the driver along with the best recent expertise in playoff stress conditions, where he usually has proven he can make things happen.There are actually 16 other playoff-eligible motorists that basically face 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 as well as Zane Smith.Bob Pockrass deals with NASCAR for FOX Sports. He has spent years covering motorsports, featuring over 30 Daytona 500s, with jobs at ESPN, Sporting Information, NASCAR Scene magazine and The (Daytona Coastline) News-Journal. Follow him on Twitter @bobpockrass. Receive even more from NASCAR Mug Series Follow your preferences to get information concerning activities, updates and also even more.