.Bob Pockrass.FOX NASCAR Insider.The biggest problem of those fighting for a playoff place in the NASCAR Cup Series is actually that a motorist that isn't remotely in the mix vaults into the playoffs along with a distressed victory.Hello, Austin DillonDillon, that was actually 32nd in the status entering Richmond, placed themself in the playoffs along with a success-- albeit a questionable one-- on Sunday, the 23rd race of the 26-race normal season.Following Richmond, three ethnicities remain to place the playoff range: Michigan, Daytona as well as Darlington.The NASCAR playoffs include 16 drivers-- the regular-season champ and then the following 15 vehicle drivers ranked through victories with dead heats violated through points.With the top 7 drivers in the status all having at least one success, the regular-season champion more than likely is going to be one of the winners. Thirteen drivers have actually succeeded this year, suggesting up to three areas could be readily available on aspects. Thus who remains in, that performs the blister and also that is at win-at-all-costs? Those 13 motorists with success 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 as well as Austin Dillon.The blister transformed significantly with Dillon's victory as right now maximum merely three places-- not 4 as just before the Richmond race-- might be available to winless motorists. Each Chris Buescher and also Ross Chastain fell below the cutline while Bubba Wallace relocated to the good side of being among the three winless motorists with the best points.Joey Logano discusses Austin Dillon's overtime relocate to succeed the Cook Out 400 Thus permit's specify: There are five winless motorists that would certainly be actually combating for the current three areas offered only on points.Martin Truex Jr. possesses a 78-point side on the cutline (currently Buescher as well as Chastain), along with 60 factors on Ty Gibbs, that is actually 15 aspects above Wallace. Buescher as well as Chastain, tied in the standings, are actually 3 points responsible for Wallace.In various other terms, it is actually heading to be a battle to the finish.Buescher gained at Michigan and also Daytona in 2013, yet those likewise are locations where Wallace customarily has actually managed effectively. Gibbs still seeks his first occupation Mug succeed. Chastain is the motorist along with the absolute most recent expertise in playoff tension situations, where he usually has actually proven he can make points happen.There are 16 various other playoff-eligible chauffeurs that basically skin must-win scenarios: Hunt 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 Sporting Activities. He has spent years covering motorsports, consisting of over 30 Daytona 500s, along with jobs at ESPN, Sporting Headlines, NASCAR Scene journal and also The (Daytona Coastline) News-Journal. Follow him on Twitter @bobpockrass. Receive a lot more coming from NASCAR Cup Collection Observe your preferences to acquire information regarding video games, headlines and additional.