.Bob Pockrass.FOX NASCAR Insider.The biggest problem of those fighting for a playoff spot in the NASCAR Mug Series is actually that a motorist who isn't remotely in the mix vaults right into the playoffs with a distressed victory.Hello, Austin DillonDillon, that was actually 32nd in the standings getting into Richmond, placed himself in the playoffs with a victory-- albeit a controversial one-- on Sunday, the 23rd nationality of the 26-race normal season.Following Richmond, three nationalities continue to be to put the playoff farmland: Michigan, Daytona and also Darlington.The NASCAR playoffs contain 16 vehicle drivers-- the regular-season champ and after that the following 15 motorists placed through triumphes along with ties violated by points.With the best seven drivers in the status all contending minimum one success, the regular-season champion more than likely will be among the champions. Thirteen chauffeurs have won this year, implying up to 3 locations can be offered on points. Therefore who resides in, that performs the blister and that is at win-at-all-costs? Those thirteen motorists along with triumphes who are 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 as well as Austin Dillon.The blister altered considerably with Dillon's triumph as right now maximum just 3 spots-- certainly not 4 as prior to the Richmond competition-- can be offered to winless chauffeurs. Each Chris Buescher as well as Ross Chastain dropped under the cutline while Bubba Wallace transferred to the good side of being just one of the 3 winless chauffeurs along with one of the most points.Joey Logano explains Austin Dillon's overtime relocate to succeed the 400 Thus let's specify: There are actually five winless drivers who would be actually battling for the present 3 locations readily available entirely on points.Martin Truex Jr. possesses a 78-point side on the cutline (currently Buescher as well as Chastain), with 60 factors on Ty Gibbs, that is 15 aspects over Wallace. Buescher as well as Chastain, tied in the standings, are three points responsible for Wallace.In various other terms, it is actually visiting be actually a battle to the finish.Buescher gained at Michigan and Daytona last year, yet those likewise are spots where Wallace traditionally has actually managed properly. Gibbs still finds his first profession Cup gain. Chastain is actually the motorist along with the absolute most current knowledge in playoff pressure conditions, where he primarily has actually confirmed he can create traits happen.There are actually 16 other playoff-eligible chauffeurs that basically face must-win conditions: 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 as well as Zane Smith.Bob Pockrass deals with NASCAR for FOX Sporting Activities. He has actually invested many years covering motorsports, consisting of over 30 Daytona 500s, with jobs at ESPN, Sporting News, NASCAR Scene journal and also The (Daytona Beach Front) News-Journal. Observe him on Twitter @bobpockrass. Acquire a lot more coming from NASCAR Mug Collection Follow your faves to obtain info concerning games, news and also additional.