.Bob Pockrass.FOX NASCAR Expert.The most significant problem of those fighting for a playoff location in the NASCAR Cup Set is actually that a driver that isn't remotely in the mix vaults into the playoffs along with a dismayed victory.Hello, Austin DillonDillon, that was actually 32nd in the standings getting in Richmond, put themself in the playoffs along with a triumph-- albeit a debatable one-- on Sunday, the 23rd race of the 26-race normal season.Following Richmond, 3 races continue to be to place the playoff ground: Michigan, Daytona as well as Darlington.The NASCAR playoffs consist of 16 vehicle drivers-- the regular-season champion and afterwards the upcoming 15 drivers ranked by wins with dead heats broken through points.With the top seven motorists in the standings all having at the very least one victory, the regular-season champion more than likely is going to be among the champions. Thirteen vehicle drivers have actually succeeded this year, meaning as much as 3 locations may be readily available on aspects. Thus who resides in, who's on the blister and also that is at win-at-all-costs? Those thirteen chauffeurs along with success who are in: Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, William Byron, Christopher Alarm, Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott, Tyler Reddick, Brad Keselowski, Alex Bowman, Joey Logano, Daniel Suarez, Austin Cindric as well as Austin Dillon.The bubble modified significantly along with Dillon's success as now maximum only 3 spots-- certainly not four as before the Richmond competition-- may be on call to winless vehicle drivers. Both Chris Buescher and also Ross Chastain dropped under the cutline while Bubba Wallace moved to the good side of being one of the three winless motorists along with the best points.Joey Logano explains Austin Dillon's overtime move to gain the Cook Out 400 So allow's get to the points: There are five winless vehicle drivers who would certainly be battling for the present three spots readily available only on points.Martin Truex Jr. has a 78-point side on the cutline (presently Buescher and Chastain), along with 60 factors on Ty Gibbs, that is 15 points above Wallace. Buescher and also Chastain, tied in the status, are 3 aspects behind Wallace.In other words, it is actually heading to be actually a battle to the finish.Buescher won at Michigan and also Daytona in 2014, but those also are locations where Wallace commonly has actually operated effectively. Gibbs still seeks his 1st career Mug succeed. Chastain is the vehicle driver along with the absolute most current expertise in playoff stress scenarios, where he typically has confirmed he may create factors happen.There are 16 various other playoff-eligible chauffeurs who practically face must-win conditions: Pursuit 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 covers NASCAR for FOX Sports. He has actually invested many years dealing with motorsports, consisting of over 30 Daytona 500s, with jobs at ESPN, Sporting Information, NASCAR Scene journal and also The (Daytona Seaside) News-Journal. Follow him on Twitter @bobpockrass. Obtain even more coming from NASCAR Cup Collection Follow your faves to receive relevant information concerning video games, information as well as even more.