TriStar made its debut in 1989 at Talladega Superspeedway. Driver Ron Esau finished 38th after wrecking the No. 18 Pontiac. Brad Teague made the team's second start at Charlotte Motor Speedway with Mello Yello but finished 31st after suffering engine failure. Barn Animals sponsored Hut Stricklin's No. 68 entry at the 1990 Daytona 500, and fielded the No. 18 for him at Atlanta Motor Speedway, where he finished. TriStar switched to the No. 68 at Talladega Superspeedway, and Stanley Smith wrecked the Interstate Batteries car and finished 37th. The team finished their first race at Michigan with Mike Chase finishing 24th. They ran the No. 68 with Country Time Lemonade sponsorship and Bobby Hamilton driving in two races, with a best finish of 28th.