.Bob Pockrass.FOX NASCAR Expert.The largest worry of those defending a playoff spot in the NASCAR Cup Series is actually that a driver who isn't remotely in the mix vaults into the playoffs along with an upset victory.Hello, Austin DillonDillon, who was 32nd in the standings going into Richmond, put themself in the playoffs along with a triumph-- albeit a disputable one-- on Sunday, the 23rd race of the 26-race frequent 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 champ and after that the next 15 drivers placed through victories along with dead heats broken through points.With the top 7 drivers in the standings all contending least one victory, the regular-season champion probably will be among the victors. Thirteen chauffeurs have succeeded this year, suggesting approximately 3 places can be accessible on aspects. Therefore who remains in, that performs the bubble as well as that goes to win-at-all-costs? Those thirteen chauffeurs along with success who reside 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 blister changed drastically along with Dillon's triumph as now just merely three areas-- not 4 as before the Richmond race-- may be available to winless motorists. Each Chris Buescher as well as Ross Chastain dropped below the cutline while Bubba Wallace transferred to the good side of being one of the 3 winless chauffeurs with one of the most points.Joey Logano goes over Austin Dillon's overtime transfer to succeed the 400 So permit's specify: There are five winless vehicle drivers who will be actually combating for the existing 3 areas readily available solely on points.Martin Truex Jr. possesses a 78-point edge on the cutline (currently Buescher and Chastain), along with 60 points on Ty Gibbs, who is 15 aspects over Wallace. Buescher as well as Chastain, incorporated the standings, are actually 3 aspects behind Wallace.In other phrases, it's mosting likely to be a fight to the finish.Buescher gained at Michigan as well as Daytona in 2014, but those likewise are locations where Wallace traditionally has actually managed well. Gibbs still seeks his initial job Mug win. Chastain is the chauffeur along with one of the most current knowledge in playoff tension conditions, where he typically has actually verified he can make factors happen.There are actually 16 other playoff-eligible drivers that virtually face must-win scenarios: 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 devoted years covering motorsports, featuring over 30 Daytona 500s, along with stints at ESPN, Sporting Updates, NASCAR Setting publication as well as The (Daytona Seashore) News-Journal. Follow him on Twitter @bobpockrass. Acquire a lot more coming from NASCAR Mug Collection Follow your preferences to acquire details regarding video games, updates as well as more.