.Bob Pockrass.FOX NASCAR Expert.The greatest issue of those fighting for a playoff spot in the NASCAR Cup Series is actually that a chauffeur that isn't remotely in the mix vaults right into the playoffs along with a dismayed victory.Hello, Austin DillonDillon, who was actually 32nd in the standings going into Richmond, placed themself in the playoffs with a triumph-- albeit a questionable one-- on Sunday, the 23rd race of the 26-race frequent season.Following Richmond, three races continue to be to set the playoff farmland: Michigan, Daytona and Darlington.The NASCAR playoffs include 16 drivers-- the regular-season champ and then the upcoming 15 chauffeurs ranked by triumphes with ties broken through points.With the top seven vehicle drivers in the status all having at the very least one victory, the regular-season champion more than likely will be one of the champions. Thirteen vehicle drivers have actually won this year, meaning approximately 3 spots might be on call on factors. So that remains in, who performs the blister as well as who is at win-at-all-costs? Those thirteen motorists along with success who reside in: Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, William Byron, Christopher Alarm, Ryan Blaney, Hunt 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 now maximum just 3 spots-- not four as just before the Richmond race-- might be offered to winless vehicle drivers. Each Chris Buescher and also Ross Chastain dropped beneath the cutline while Bubba Wallace moved to the good side of being just one of the 3 winless drivers along with the best points.Joey Logano explains Austin Dillon's overtime relocate to succeed the 400 So that allow's get to the points: There are actually five winless chauffeurs who will be actually battling for the existing three locations accessible exclusively on points.Martin Truex Jr. possesses a 78-point side on the cutline (currently Buescher and also Chastain), along with 60 factors on Ty Gibbs, that is 15 points above Wallace. Buescher and Chastain, tied in the status, are 3 points responsible for Wallace.In other words, it's going to be actually a fight to the finish.Buescher succeeded at Michigan and Daytona in 2015, yet those likewise are actually places where Wallace customarily has actually managed effectively. Gibbs still seeks his initial profession Cup succeed. Chastain is the driver along with the best current knowledge in playoff tension circumstances, where he mostly has proven he may create factors happen.There are 16 other playoff-eligible vehicle drivers that more or less face must-win circumstances: 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 Seeker Nemechek, Harrison Burton and Zane Smith.Bob Pockrass deals with NASCAR for FOX Sporting Activities. He has spent many years dealing with motorsports, featuring over 30 Daytona 500s, with assignments at ESPN, Sporting News, NASCAR Setting journal and also The (Daytona Seaside) News-Journal. Follow him on Twitter @bobpockrass. Get more coming from NASCAR Cup Series Observe your preferences to receive relevant information about activities, information and also more.