.Bob Pockrass.FOX NASCAR Insider.The greatest problem of those defending a playoff area in the NASCAR Cup Set is actually that a chauffeur that isn't from another location in the mix vaults into the playoffs with an upset victory.Hello, Austin DillonDillon, that was 32nd in the standings getting into Richmond, placed himself in the playoffs along with a triumph-- albeit a debatable one-- on Sunday, the 23rd ethnicity of the 26-race normal season.Following Richmond, 3 races stay to set the playoff range: Michigan, Daytona and Darlington.The NASCAR playoffs feature 16 chauffeurs-- the regular-season champion and then the upcoming 15 drivers positioned through triumphes along with dead heats breached by points.With the best seven motorists in the status all contending least one triumph, the regular-season champ most likely will be among the champions. Thirteen drivers have actually gained this year, meaning as much as 3 spots may be offered on aspects. Therefore who resides in, that's on the blister and also who goes to win-at-all-costs? Those thirteen vehicle drivers with victories who are in: Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, William Byron, Christopher Bell, Ryan Blaney, Pursuit Elliott, Tyler Reddick, Brad Keselowski, Alex Bowman, Joey Logano, Daniel Suarez, Austin Cindric and also Austin Dillon.The blister altered considerably along with Dillon's triumph as now at most only three places-- not four as prior to the Richmond competition-- can be readily available to winless motorists. Each Chris Buescher as well as Ross Chastain dropped under the cutline while Bubba Wallace transferred to the silver lining of being among the three winless drivers with the absolute most points.Joey Logano talks about Austin Dillon's overtime move to gain the 400 Thus let's get to the points: There are actually five winless chauffeurs who would certainly be combating for the present 3 spots readily available entirely on points.Martin Truex Jr. possesses a 78-point edge on the cutline (presently Buescher and Chastain), with 60 factors on Ty Gibbs, that is actually 15 factors over Wallace. Buescher and also Chastain, tied in the standings, are actually three factors responsible for Wallace.In various other words, it's heading to be a battle to the finish.Buescher won at Michigan and also Daytona last year, yet those also are actually spots where Wallace generally has operated effectively. Gibbs still seeks his first profession Mug win. Chastain is the motorist with the most latest experience in playoff tension scenarios, where he primarily has proven he can easily create factors happen.There are 16 other playoff-eligible chauffeurs who practically face must-win scenarios: 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 devoted years covering motorsports, featuring over 30 Daytona 500s, along with assignments at ESPN, Sporting News, NASCAR Setting magazine as well as The (Daytona Beach Front) News-Journal. Observe him on Twitter @bobpockrass. Receive extra from NASCAR Cup Collection Follow your favorites to obtain information concerning games, information as well as additional.