.Bob Pockrass.FOX NASCAR Insider.The largest problem of those defending a playoff location in the NASCAR Mug Set is actually that a chauffeur that isn't remotely in the mix vaults right into the playoffs with a dismayed victory.Hello, Austin DillonDillon, who was actually 32nd in the status getting in Richmond, put themself in the playoffs along with a success-- albeit a questionable one-- on Sunday, the 23rd ethnicity of the 26-race frequent season.Following Richmond, three nationalities continue to be to set the playoff field: Michigan, Daytona and Darlington.The NASCAR playoffs consist of 16 vehicle drivers-- the regular-season champion and afterwards the upcoming 15 motorists ranked by success along with dead heats broken by points.With the top 7 drivers in the status all having at least one success, the regular-season champion likely is going to be one of the winners. Thirteen drivers have actually succeeded this year, implying approximately 3 spots might be available on factors. So that resides in, who performs the blister and also that goes to win-at-all-costs? Those 13 drivers along with triumphes that reside 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 and also Austin Dillon.The bubble transformed drastically with Dillon's triumph as now just simply three places-- certainly not 4 as prior to the Richmond race-- could be offered to winless chauffeurs. Each Chris Buescher and also Ross Chastain dropped under the cutline while Bubba Wallace transferred to the good side of being just one of the 3 winless motorists along with the most points.Joey Logano covers Austin Dillon's overtime relocate to gain the 400 Therefore let's specify: There are five winless vehicle drivers that would certainly be battling for the current 3 places accessible entirely on points.Martin Truex Jr. has a 78-point edge on the cutline (currently Buescher and also Chastain), along with 60 factors on Ty Gibbs, that is 15 factors above Wallace. Buescher and also Chastain, tied in the status, are actually three factors responsible for Wallace.In other phrases, it's heading to be a match to the finish.Buescher succeeded at Michigan and Daytona last year, but those likewise are places where Wallace customarily has operated properly. Gibbs still seeks his initial profession Mug gain. Chastain is the driver with the most current experience in playoff stress circumstances, where he mostly has actually verified he can create traits happen.There are 16 other playoff-eligible motorists who pretty much face must-win situations: 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 Sports. He has actually spent many years covering motorsports, consisting of over 30 Daytona 500s, along with assignments at ESPN, Sporting News, NASCAR Scene journal as well as The (Daytona Beach) News-Journal. Observe him on Twitter @bobpockrass. Obtain a lot more from NASCAR Mug Series Follow your preferences to receive relevant information about video games, headlines and also additional.