.Bob Pockrass.FOX NASCAR Insider.The biggest problem of those defending a playoff spot in the NASCAR Cup Set is that a vehicle driver that isn't remotely in the mix safes right into the playoffs along with an upset victory.Hello, Austin DillonDillon, who was actually 32nd in the status entering Richmond, put himself in the playoffs with a victory-- albeit a debatable one-- on Sunday, the 23rd ethnicity of the 26-race frequent season.Following Richmond, 3 nationalities continue to be to place the playoff field: Michigan, Daytona and Darlington.The NASCAR playoffs consist of 16 vehicle drivers-- the regular-season champion and after that the following 15 motorists ranked by victories with ties broken by points.With the top seven motorists in the status all contending the very least one victory, the regular-season champ more than likely will be just one of the victors. Thirteen vehicle drivers have actually won this year, suggesting approximately three locations can be on call on factors. Therefore who remains in, that's on the bubble and also who goes to win-at-all-costs? Those 13 vehicle drivers with triumphes who are in: Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, William Byron, Christopher Bell, Ryan Blaney, Hunt Elliott, Tyler Reddick, Brad Keselowski, Alex Bowman, Joey Logano, Daniel Suarez, Austin Cindric and Austin Dillon.The blister altered drastically with Dillon's victory as right now at most simply 3 locations-- certainly not 4 as prior to the Richmond race-- could be readily available to winless drivers. Each Chris Buescher and Ross Chastain dropped below the cutline while Bubba Wallace transferred to the silver lining of being just one of the three winless vehicle drivers along with one of the most points.Joey Logano covers Austin Dillon's overtime transfer to gain the Cook Out 400 Therefore let's specify: There are five winless vehicle drivers who would certainly be battling for the current three places readily available only on points.Martin Truex Jr. has a 78-point side on the cutline (currently Buescher and also Chastain), with 60 aspects on Ty Gibbs, that is actually 15 points above Wallace. Buescher and also Chastain, incorporated the status, are actually 3 factors behind Wallace.In other terms, it's visiting be a battle to the finish.Buescher won at Michigan and also Daytona in 2015, but those also are actually spots where Wallace customarily has run properly. Gibbs still seeks his very first profession Cup win. Chastain is the motorist with one of the most current adventure in playoff tension situations, where he primarily has verified he may create points happen.There are actually 16 other playoff-eligible motorists that virtually skin 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 also Zane Smith.Bob Pockrass deals with NASCAR for FOX Sports. He has actually spent many years covering motorsports, featuring over 30 Daytona 500s, along with jobs at ESPN, Sporting Updates, NASCAR Scene publication and The (Daytona Seashore) News-Journal. Observe him on Twitter @bobpockrass. Get even more from NASCAR Cup Collection Observe your faves to acquire details about video games, news and even more.