.Bob Pockrass.FOX NASCAR Insider.The biggest issue of those defending a playoff place in the NASCAR Mug Series is actually that a chauffeur that isn't remotely in the mix safes into the playoffs with a distressed victory.Hello, Austin DillonDillon, that was 32nd in the standings entering Richmond, placed himself in the playoffs along with a success-- albeit a controversial one-- on Sunday, the 23rd nationality of the 26-race normal season.Following Richmond, three races stay to set the playoff farmland: Michigan, Daytona and Darlington.The NASCAR playoffs are composed of 16 vehicle drivers-- the regular-season champ and after that the upcoming 15 chauffeurs rated by success with dead heats violated through points.With the top seven motorists in the status all contending the very least one success, the regular-season champ likely will be among the champions. Thirteen drivers have actually succeeded this year, meaning around 3 locations could be readily available on aspects. So that resides in, who gets on the bubble as well as that goes to win-at-all-costs? Those thirteen vehicle drivers with victories who remain 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 changed considerably along with Dillon's victory as today just simply 3 locations-- not 4 as before the Richmond race-- may be on call to winless vehicle drivers. Both Chris Buescher and also Ross Chastain fell under the cutline while Bubba Wallace relocated to the silver lining of being one of the three winless motorists with the absolute most points.Joey Logano discusses Austin Dillon's overtime move to gain the 400 So let's get to the points: There are five winless drivers who will be actually combating for the present 3 locations readily available only on points.Martin Truex Jr. has a 78-point side on the cutline (currently Buescher and Chastain), along with 60 aspects on Ty Gibbs, that is 15 factors above Wallace. Buescher and Chastain, tied in the status, are three points behind Wallace.In other words, it's going to be actually a battle to the finish.Buescher gained at Michigan as well as Daytona in 2013, however those also are actually locations where Wallace traditionally has actually run effectively. Gibbs still seeks his very first job Mug gain. Chastain is actually the driver along with one of the most current knowledge in playoff stress scenarios, where he primarily has shown he can make points happen.There are actually 16 other playoff-eligible chauffeurs who practically skin must-win scenarios: 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 Seeker Nemechek, Harrison Burton and Zane Smith.Bob Pockrass deals with NASCAR for FOX Sporting Activities. He has devoted many years covering motorsports, featuring over 30 Daytona 500s, along with stints at ESPN, Sporting Information, NASCAR Scene magazine and The (Daytona Beach Front) News-Journal. Observe him on Twitter @bobpockrass. Acquire extra coming from NASCAR Mug Set Follow your favorites to acquire information about activities, updates and more.