.Bob Pockrass.FOX NASCAR Expert.The largest problem of those defending a playoff location in the NASCAR Cup Series is actually that a vehicle driver that isn't from another location in the mix safes right into the playoffs along with a dismayed victory.Hello, Austin DillonDillon, that was actually 32nd in the standings entering into Richmond, placed himself in the playoffs along with a success-- albeit a disputable one-- on Sunday, the 23rd race of the 26-race normal season.Following Richmond, three races remain to set the playoff field: Michigan, Daytona as well as Darlington.The NASCAR playoffs feature 16 chauffeurs-- the regular-season champion and after that the following 15 chauffeurs placed by wins along with dead heats broken through points.With the top 7 chauffeurs in the standings all contending minimum one victory, the regular-season champion probably is going to be just one of the winners. Thirteen motorists have won this year, suggesting approximately three areas could be offered on points. Thus who's in, that's on the bubble as well as who is at win-at-all-costs? Those 13 vehicle drivers with success who remain 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 and Austin Dillon.The blister transformed significantly with Dillon's victory as today just only three locations-- not four as prior to the Richmond competition-- could be accessible to winless motorists. Each Chris Buescher and also Ross Chastain dropped below the cutline while Bubba Wallace transferred to the silver lining of being just one of the three winless drivers with one of the most points.Joey Logano goes over Austin Dillon's overtime transfer to win the 400 So let's specify: There are 5 winless chauffeurs who will be actually battling for the existing three locations on call only on points.Martin Truex Jr. possesses a 78-point side on the cutline (presently Buescher as well as Chastain), along with 60 aspects on Ty Gibbs, that is actually 15 points over Wallace. Buescher and Chastain, incorporated the status, are actually 3 points behind Wallace.In various other words, it is actually heading to be actually a battle to the finish.Buescher succeeded at Michigan and also Daytona in 2015, however those additionally are actually places where Wallace typically has run properly. Gibbs still finds his very first occupation Mug win. Chastain is actually the driver with the most current experience in playoff stress situations, where he mostly has actually verified he can make points happen.There are actually 16 various other playoff-eligible vehicle drivers that virtually 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 deals with NASCAR for FOX Sporting Activities. He has actually invested years covering motorsports, including over 30 Daytona 500s, with jobs at ESPN, Sporting News, NASCAR Scene publication as well as The (Daytona Beach) News-Journal. Observe him on Twitter @bobpockrass. Obtain much more from NASCAR Cup Set Observe your preferences to acquire relevant information about activities, updates as well as even more.