Most NASCAR teams bleed red, white, and blue—but for a brief moment in the early ‘90s, a crew with Irish roots threw some shamrock green into the mix! Team Ireland may not have left skid marks in the history books, but their short-lived stint in the Winston Cup Series was full of high hopes, mechanical misfires, and a few eyebrow-raising penalties.  They were underdogs, but they came to race, rubbing fenders with the sport’s best. Buckle up as we shift into gear and uncover 15 little-known facts about NASCAR’s one and only Irish heritage squad!

15 Unknown Facts About NASCAR's Only Irish Heritage

At the helm of Team Ireland was Martin Birrane, a fearless Irish businessman and racer who wasn’t afraid to take a gamble on stock car racing. Birrane wasn’t just signing checks—he had a genuine need for speed, making him one of the rare team owners who truly understood the grind behind the wheel.

1. Ownership – The Man Behind the Machine

Team Ireland hit the NASCAR high banks in 1991 and 1992, throwing their hat into the Winston Cup Series ring. It was a two-season thrill ride filled with promise, near-misses, and more than a few mechanical headaches.

2. Active Years – A Short But Spirited Run

They rolled out with the No. 53 in their rookie season before switching to the No. 31 in ‘92. A fresh number, but the same underdog mentality—just trying to punch above their weight in the Cup garage.

3. Car Numbers – From 53 to 31

Their first green flag dropped at the 1991 Miller Genuine Draft 500 at Pocono Raceway. The Tricky Triangle isn’t exactly the easiest place to shake down a new team, but hey, no one said making a name in NASCAR was easy.

4. Debut Race – A Pocono Baptism by Fire

Across two seasons, Team Ireland took to the track 14 times, hoping to turn heads and prove that an international operation could hang with the best. Spoiler alert: the challenge was steeper than they expected.

5. Total Races – 14 Times in the Spotlight

Their roster featured John Paul Jr., a sports car standout with a knack for endurance racing, and Bobby Hillin Jr., a Talladega winner who knew how to dice it up in the draft. Different backgrounds, same mission—get the green machine to the front.

6. Drivers – Road Course Talent Meets Oval Grit

Their best day at the races? A hard-fought 13th-place finish at the 1992 Coca-Cola 600, with Bobby Hillin Jr. behind the wheel. For a small team scrapping for sponsorship, that was like kissing the bricks at Indy.

7. Best Finish – A Respectable Charlotte Showdown

Team Ireland went to battle with Chevrolet machinery, but even the Bowtie Brigade couldn’t save them from the financial and technical struggles that come with running a Cup team.

8. Manufacturer – Chevy Power Under the Hood

By 1992, the Irish were getting their engines and chassis from Richard Childress Racing. With RCR powerplants, they had a fighting chance, but even top-tier horsepower can’t fix all the gremlins lurking in a struggling team’s garage.

2. Richard Childress Racing – Intentional Wrecking (2024, Reduced for Spotter)

9. Technical Support – A Helping Hand from RCR

Finding sponsors was like trying to draft without a partner—frustrating and unsustainable. Without deep-pocketed backers, keeping the wheels turning week after week became an all-out battle.

10. Sponsorship Woes – A Constant Uphill Climb

The team got caught with illegal cylinder heads during the 1992 Mello Yello 500 at Charlotte. NASCAR doesn’t take kindly to rulebook violations, and for a team already on shaky ground, this was a gut punch.

11. Penalties – A Costly Misstep at Charlotte

Financial roadblocks and that costly Charlotte penalty spelled the end for Team Ireland after the 1992 season. It was a short run, but they left their tire marks in NASCAR’s history books.

12. The Final Lap – Shutting Down After ‘92

Before Team Ireland, John Paul Jr. was lighting up the endurance racing world, even winning the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1982. He had the talent—just not the NASCAR seat time to make a splash.

13. Driver Spotlight – John Paul Jr., The Versatile Wheelman

Bobby Hillin Jr. wasn’t new to Victory Lane—he’d shocked the field with a 1986 Talladega win. With Team Ireland, though, he spent more time wrestling an underfunded car than celebrating with champagne.

14. Driver Spotlight – Bobby Hillin Jr., The ‘Dega Surprise

They may not have set the Cup Series on fire, but Team Ireland brought an international twist to NASCAR, proving that stock car racing’s appeal could stretch far beyond American shores. Birrane’s dream was ahead of its time—who knows what could have been with a little more luck and a lot more sponsorship dollars?