.Bob Pockrass.FOX NASCAR Insider.The largest issue of those defending a playoff area in the NASCAR Cup Series is actually that a motorist that isn't from another location in the mix vaults right into the playoffs along with an upset victory.Hello, Austin DillonDillon, that was actually 32nd in the standings getting into Richmond, put themself in the playoffs along with a success-- albeit a disputable one-- on Sunday, the 23rd nationality of the 26-race normal season.Following Richmond, three nationalities continue to be to set the playoff ground: Michigan, Daytona and Darlington.The NASCAR playoffs contain 16 drivers-- the regular-season champ and after that the upcoming 15 drivers ranked through triumphes along with dead heats broken through points.With the leading 7 chauffeurs in the standings all having at least one triumph, the regular-season champion likely will be just one of the winners. Thirteen drivers have won this year, implying up to 3 areas can be available on factors. So who remains in, that gets on the blister and that goes to win-at-all-costs? Those thirteen drivers along with victories that reside in: Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, William Byron, Christopher Bell, 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 along with Dillon's triumph as now just merely 3 locations-- not 4 as prior to the Richmond race-- might be accessible to winless drivers. Each Chris Buescher as well as Ross Chastain fell below the cutline while Bubba Wallace relocated to the good side of being just one of the three winless vehicle drivers along with the best points.Joey Logano reviews Austin Dillon's overtime move to win the 400 So allow's specify: There are 5 winless drivers who would be actually combating for the existing 3 spots on call entirely on points.Martin Truex Jr. possesses a 78-point edge on the cutline (currently Buescher as well as Chastain), with 60 aspects on Ty Gibbs, that is 15 factors above Wallace. Buescher and Chastain, tied in the standings, are three factors behind Wallace.In other phrases, it's mosting likely to be actually a match to the finish.Buescher gained at Michigan and also Daytona last year, yet those also are areas where Wallace customarily has managed effectively. Gibbs still finds his very first career Mug succeed. Chastain is actually the driver along with the absolute most latest experience in playoff stress scenarios, where he typically has confirmed he can easily make points happen.There are 16 various other playoff-eligible motorists who 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 and also Zane Smith.Bob Pockrass deals with NASCAR for FOX Sports. He has actually spent many years dealing with motorsports, consisting of over 30 Daytona 500s, with stints at ESPN, Sporting News, NASCAR Setting journal and The (Daytona Seaside) News-Journal. Observe him on Twitter @bobpockrass. Get even more from NASCAR Mug Set Observe your preferences to obtain info about video games, updates and also more.