.Bob Pockrass.FOX NASCAR Expert.The most significant concern of those defending a playoff spot in the NASCAR Mug Collection is that a driver that isn't from another location in the mix safes right into the playoffs along with an upset victory.Hello, Austin DillonDillon, that was actually 32nd in the status entering Richmond, put themself in the playoffs with a victory-- albeit a debatable one-- on Sunday, the 23rd nationality of the 26-race routine season.Following Richmond, three ethnicities continue to be to place the playoff field: Michigan, Daytona as well as Darlington.The NASCAR playoffs feature 16 chauffeurs-- the regular-season champ and after that the upcoming 15 drivers ranked by victories with ties violated through points.With the top 7 motorists in the status all contending minimum one victory, the regular-season champion more than likely will be just one of the victors. Thirteen chauffeurs have actually gained this year, implying approximately three locations could be accessible on points. Thus that remains in, that's on the bubble as well as that is at win-at-all-costs? Those thirteen motorists along with victories who remain in: Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, William Byron, Christopher Alarm, Ryan Blaney, Pursuit Elliott, Tyler Reddick, Brad Keselowski, Alex Bowman, Joey Logano, Daniel Suarez, Austin Cindric as well as Austin Dillon.The blister modified drastically with Dillon's success as now at most just three places-- certainly not 4 as prior to the Richmond competition-- can be readily available to winless motorists. Each Chris Buescher and also Ross Chastain dropped beneath the cutline while Bubba Wallace transferred to the silver lining of being among the three winless drivers with one of the most points.Joey Logano discusses Austin Dillon's overtime relocate to succeed the 400 So let's get to the points: There are actually 5 winless motorists who will be combating for the existing 3 locations offered entirely on points.Martin Truex Jr. has a 78-point side on the cutline (presently Buescher as well as Chastain), with 60 factors on Ty Gibbs, that is actually 15 aspects over Wallace. Buescher as well as Chastain, tied in the standings, are actually three aspects behind Wallace.In various other terms, it's heading to be a match to the finish.Buescher won at Michigan and also Daytona last year, yet those also are areas where Wallace commonly has managed effectively. Gibbs still finds his very first career Mug succeed. Chastain is actually the driver along with one of the most current experience in playoff tension scenarios, where he typically has actually verified he can create traits happen.There are actually 16 other playoff-eligible vehicle drivers that pretty much skin 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 spent years dealing with motorsports, featuring over 30 Daytona 500s, with stints at ESPN, Sporting Information, NASCAR Setting magazine and also The (Daytona Seaside) News-Journal. Follow him on Twitter @bobpockrass. Receive a lot more from NASCAR Cup Series Follow your favorites to receive information about activities, headlines and additional.