This well explains the intrigue and the Victories that the IRL did bring! -

https://racer.com/2019/11/22/mickey-...-builder-dies/

What happened to the IRL teams? (Stated before); The Internet boom crashed, Tabaco Companies and corporate America didn't get behind grass-roots racers and teams. It's about the same thing happening in NASCAR right now...(only about 20 or so well-funded teams/household names drivers actly...).