Ross Chastain leads the field during a NASCAR Truck Series race at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich., Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
The Associated Press
BROOKLYN, Mich. (AP) - Austin Hill hopes he's getting his groove back just in time to make a run at winning the NASCAR Truck Series championship.
"We wanted to put a good stamp on the end of the regular season, going into the playoffs," he said.
Hill held off Sheldon Creed to win at Michigan International Speedway on Saturday, earning his second victory of the year and his first since the season-opening race at Dayton.
"We really wanted to win this one because we've been in a slump," he said.
The playoffs begin Thursday night at Bristol Motor Speedway with Brett Moffitt, Grant Enfinger, Stewart Friesen, Ross Chastain, Hill, Johnny Sauter, Tyler Ankrum and Matt Crafton.
"We're going to have a ton of confidence," Hill said.
Creed and Tyler Dippel followed Hill, leaving them out of the eight-driver field . Both had a shot to earn a spot in the playoffs with a win at MIS. Creed came close, finishing just 0.125 seconds behind Hill.
"I knew the 18 (Creed) was going to be desperate for a win," Hill said.
Hill was out front when the race resumed with two laps left following a nine-car crash and didn't relinquish the lead.
"This is a big relief for us as a group," crew chief Scott Zipadelli said.
Enfinger finished seventh in the Corrigan Oil 200 and sealed the regular season title.
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Drivers race at the start during a NASCAR Truck Series race at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich., Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
The Associated Press
Drivers lineup for the start of a NASCAR Truck Series race at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich., Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
The Associated Press
Austin Hill celebrates winning a NASCAR Truck Series race at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich., Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
The Associated Press
Austin Hill celebrates winning a NASCAR Truck Series race at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich., Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
The Associated Press
Austin Hill crosses the finish line to win a NASCAR Truck Series race at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich., Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
The Associated Press
Austin Hill celebrates winning a NASCAR Truck Series race at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich., Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
The Associated Press
Austin Hill celebrates winning a NASCAR Truck Series race at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich., Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
The Associated Press
Austin Hill celebrates with a burn out after winning a NASCAR Truck Series race at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich., Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
The Associated Press
Tyler Ankrum crashes into Anthony Alfredo (15) during a restart in a NASCAR Truck Series race at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich., Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
The Associated Press
Tyler Ankrum (17), Anthony Alfredo (15), Jordan Anderson (3) and Natalie Decker (54), crash during a restart during a NASCAR Truck Series race at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich., Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
The Associated Press
Tyler Ankrum (17), Austin Hill (16), Brett Moffitt (24), and Brett Moffitt (88) race during a NASCAR Truck Series race at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich., Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
The Associated Press