.Bob Pockrass.FOX NASCAR Expert.The biggest issue of those defending a playoff place in the NASCAR Cup Set is actually that a vehicle driver that isn't from another location in the mix safes into the playoffs with a distressed victory.Hello, Austin DillonDillon, that was actually 32nd in the standings getting into Richmond, placed himself in the playoffs with a triumph-- albeit a questionable one-- on Sunday, the 23rd race of the 26-race regular season.Following Richmond, 3 races stay to establish the playoff ground: Michigan, Daytona and also Darlington.The NASCAR playoffs are composed of 16 motorists-- the regular-season champ and after that the following 15 drivers positioned through wins along with ties breached by points.With the top 7 motorists in the standings all contending the very least one triumph, the regular-season champ likely will be one of the winners. Thirteen motorists have gained this year, implying up to 3 areas can be accessible on aspects. So who resides in, who gets on the blister and that is at win-at-all-costs? Those 13 motorists along with triumphes who remain in: Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, William Byron, Christopher Bell, Ryan Blaney, Hunt Elliott, Tyler Reddick, Brad Keselowski, Alex Bowman, Joey Logano, Daniel Suarez, Austin Cindric and also Austin Dillon.The blister modified considerably with Dillon's victory as now just merely three locations-- certainly not 4 as just before the Richmond competition-- could be available to winless drivers. Both Chris Buescher as well as Ross Chastain fell beneath the cutline while Bubba Wallace relocated to the good side of being one of the 3 winless motorists with one of the most points.Joey Logano explains Austin Dillon's overtime move to gain the Cook Out 400 So let's specify: There are actually 5 winless drivers that would be actually combating for the present 3 places available entirely on points.Martin Truex Jr. has a 78-point side on the cutline (presently Buescher and also Chastain), with 60 aspects on Ty Gibbs, who is actually 15 aspects above Wallace. Buescher and Chastain, incorporated the standings, are actually 3 factors responsible for Wallace.In other terms, it's going to be actually a fight to the finish.Buescher succeeded at Michigan and also Daytona last year, yet those also are actually spots where Wallace typically has operated properly. Gibbs still finds his initial career Cup win. Chastain is the motorist with the best recent knowledge in playoff tension situations, where he mainly has actually proven he can make points happen.There are 16 other playoff-eligible drivers that virtually skin must-win scenarios: Hunt 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 covers NASCAR for FOX Sporting Activities. He has spent decades dealing with motorsports, consisting of over 30 Daytona 500s, with jobs at ESPN, Sporting Headlines, NASCAR Scene publication and also The (Daytona Beach Front) News-Journal. Observe him on Twitter @bobpockrass. Receive extra coming from NASCAR Cup Series Follow your faves to acquire details concerning video games, news as well as more.