.Bob Pockrass.FOX NASCAR Insider.The greatest concern of those defending a playoff spot in the NASCAR Cup Set is actually that a chauffeur that isn't remotely in the mix safes in to the playoffs with a dismayed victory.Hello, Austin DillonDillon, that was actually 32nd in the standings getting in Richmond, placed themself in the playoffs along with a success-- albeit a questionable one-- on Sunday, the 23rd nationality of the 26-race routine season.Following Richmond, 3 races remain to put the playoff range: Michigan, Daytona and also Darlington.The NASCAR playoffs consist of 16 motorists-- the regular-season champion and after that the upcoming 15 drivers positioned by victories with dead heats breached by points.With the top 7 drivers in the standings all contending least one triumph, the regular-season champion likely is going to be one of the victors. Thirteen motorists have actually gained this year, meaning as much as three places may be readily available on factors. Thus that resides in, that gets on the bubble and also who is at win-at-all-costs? Those thirteen motorists along with wins who remain 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 and Austin Dillon.The blister altered drastically along with Dillon's success as right now at most just three spots-- certainly not four as just before the Richmond competition-- can be accessible to winless motorists. Both Chris Buescher and Ross Chastain dropped beneath the cutline while Bubba Wallace moved to the good side of being one of the three winless drivers along with one of the most points.Joey Logano goes over Austin Dillon's overtime relocate to win the Cook Out 400 Thus let's specify: There are actually 5 winless drivers that would be combating for the existing three areas accessible exclusively on points.Martin Truex Jr. possesses a 78-point edge on the cutline (currently Buescher and Chastain), with 60 points on Ty Gibbs, who is 15 aspects above Wallace. Buescher and also Chastain, incorporated the standings, are three factors responsible for Wallace.In various other words, it's mosting likely to be a battle to the finish.Buescher gained at Michigan and Daytona last year, yet those additionally are places where Wallace typically has run well. Gibbs still seeks his first career Cup succeed. Chastain is actually the vehicle driver with the absolute most current adventure in playoff tension circumstances, where he primarily has actually proven he can easily create things happen.There are 16 other playoff-eligible vehicle drivers who basically skin must-win conditions: 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 Hunter Nemechek, Harrison Burton and also Zane Smith.Bob Pockrass covers NASCAR for FOX Sporting Activities. He has actually invested years dealing with motorsports, featuring over 30 Daytona 500s, with stints at ESPN, Sporting Information, NASCAR Setting magazine and also The (Daytona Seaside) News-Journal. Observe him on Twitter @bobpockrass. Get more from NASCAR Mug Set Observe your faves to obtain information concerning activities, updates as well as even more.