.Bob Pockrass.FOX NASCAR Insider.The biggest problem of those defending a playoff spot in the NASCAR Mug Collection is actually that a vehicle driver who isn't from another location in the mix vaults into the playoffs along with a distressed victory.Hello, Austin DillonDillon, that was actually 32nd in the status going into Richmond, put themself in the playoffs with a victory-- albeit a controversial one-- on Sunday, the 23rd race of the 26-race routine season.Following Richmond, three races remain to put the playoff ground: Michigan, Daytona and also Darlington.The NASCAR playoffs consist of 16 drivers-- the regular-season champ and afterwards the next 15 chauffeurs ranked by wins with dead heats violated through points.With the leading 7 motorists in the standings all contending least one success, the regular-season champion likely is going to be just one of the victors. Thirteen chauffeurs have gained this year, implying around three locations may be on call on points. Therefore that's in, who's on the bubble as well as who is at win-at-all-costs? Those thirteen drivers with victories who are 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 bubble changed substantially with Dillon's success as today just merely three places-- certainly not 4 as just before the Richmond race-- might be offered to winless motorists. 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 three winless vehicle drivers with the best points.Joey Logano explains Austin Dillon's overtime relocate to succeed the Cook Out 400 So that allow's get to the points: There are 5 winless vehicle drivers who would be battling for the present 3 locations available only on points.Martin Truex Jr. possesses a 78-point side on the cutline (presently Buescher as well as Chastain), along with 60 factors on Ty Gibbs, who is 15 points over Wallace. Buescher and also Chastain, incorporated the standings, are 3 factors behind Wallace.In other phrases, it's going to be actually a match to the finish.Buescher won at Michigan as well as Daytona in 2013, however those likewise are spots where Wallace typically has actually managed properly. Gibbs still finds his 1st job Cup win. Chastain is the driver along with the most current knowledge in playoff tension conditions, where he usually has actually shown he can create things happen.There are 16 other playoff-eligible motorists that basically skin 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 and also Zane Smith.Bob Pockrass covers NASCAR for FOX Sports. He has devoted decades covering motorsports, including over 30 Daytona 500s, along with assignments at ESPN, Sporting News, NASCAR Setting magazine and The (Daytona Coastline) News-Journal. Observe him on Twitter @bobpockrass. Get a lot more coming from NASCAR Cup Set Observe your faves to get information about games, headlines and more.