.Bob Pockrass.FOX NASCAR Insider.The greatest worry of those defending a playoff spot in the NASCAR Mug Series is that a vehicle driver that isn't from another location in the mix vaults right into the playoffs along with a distressed victory.Hello, Austin DillonDillon, that was actually 32nd in the status getting in Richmond, put themself in the playoffs along with a success-- albeit a controversial one-- on Sunday, the 23rd ethnicity of the 26-race regular season.Following Richmond, 3 races continue to be to place the playoff farmland: Michigan, Daytona and Darlington.The NASCAR playoffs include 16 vehicle drivers-- the regular-season champ and after that the following 15 drivers placed by triumphes along with dead heats breached through points.With the best seven drivers in the status all contending minimum one triumph, the regular-season champ more than likely will be one of the victors. Thirteen chauffeurs have actually gained this year, indicating approximately three places may be available on aspects. So who remains in, who gets on the blister and also who goes to win-at-all-costs? Those thirteen chauffeurs with wins that remain 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 bubble altered considerably along with Dillon's success as now maximum only 3 areas-- certainly not four as just before the Richmond competition-- could be on call to winless vehicle drivers. Both Chris Buescher and also Ross Chastain fell under the cutline while Bubba Wallace relocated to the good side of being just one of the 3 winless drivers with the absolute most points.Joey Logano goes over Austin Dillon's overtime relocate to succeed the Cook Out 400 Therefore allow's get to the points: There are actually five winless chauffeurs that would be fighting for the current three spots accessible entirely on points.Martin Truex Jr. possesses a 78-point side on the cutline (currently Buescher as well as Chastain), along with 60 points on Ty Gibbs, who is actually 15 points over Wallace. Buescher and Chastain, tied in the standings, are actually 3 points behind Wallace.In other terms, it's going to be actually a battle to the finish.Buescher gained at Michigan and Daytona in 2014, however those likewise are locations where Wallace customarily has actually run properly. Gibbs still seeks his very first career Cup succeed. Chastain is actually the vehicle driver along with the best latest knowledge in playoff tension situations, where he mostly has proven he can create things happen.There are 16 various other playoff-eligible motorists who basically skin must-win conditions: 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 Zane Smith.Bob Pockrass covers NASCAR for FOX Sports. He has actually spent decades covering motorsports, including over 30 Daytona 500s, along with stints at ESPN, Sporting News, NASCAR Setting magazine and also The (Daytona Seaside) News-Journal. Follow him on Twitter @bobpockrass. Acquire much more from NASCAR Cup Series Observe your preferences to receive information concerning video games, information and also more.