A federal judge in Charlotte, North Carolina, has postponed a decision on whether to grant a temporary restraining order against Chris Gabehart, Spire Motorsports’ new chief motorsports officer, following allegations from Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) over stolen proprietary data. The Spire Motorsports lawsuit news revolves around claims that Gabehart, formerly of JGR, took confidential files to his new team, with both sides now given until Sunday night to seek a resolution before the court issues a ruling on Monday.
Judge Grants Extra Time for Negotiations
U.S. District Court Judge Susan C. Rodriguez presided over Friday’s hearing, allowing attorneys representing Joe Gibbs Racing, Chris Gabehart, and Spire Motorsports more time to negotiate a potential settlement. If the parties fail to reach an agreement by Sunday evening, Judge Rodriguez stated she will provide her decision in court on Monday. As a result, Gabehart will continue his role at Spire for the upcoming NASCAR weekend.
The Dispute Over Confidential Information
Joe Gibbs Racing, a prominent NASCAR team co-owned by Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs, initiated legal action this week in an attempt to prevent Gabehart from working with Spire. Their lawsuit alleges that Gabehart orchestrated
“a brazen scheme to steal JGR’s most sensitive information,”
—JGR Court Documents— by taking proprietary files, some found within folders labeled “Spire” and “Past Setups,” and images of internal documents said to contain trade secrets.
According to JGR, a forensic audit revealed online searches about Spire Motorsports, the existence of suspiciously titled folders, and images featuring the team’s confidential material. JGR’s legal team, led in court by attorney Sarah Hutchins, accused Gabehart of violating a non-compete agreement, arguing that his extensive knowledge could benefit Spire for at least 18 months. During arguments, Hutchins strongly asserted,
“He had the keys to the kingdom,”
—Sarah Hutchins, JGR Attorney— emphasizing Gabehart’s critical access to JGR’s strategies and design data. JGR estimates that Gabehart’s actions have led to more than $8 million in damages.
Gabehart Defends His Move to Spire Motorsports
Represented by attorney Cary Davis, Gabehart countered JGR’s claims by arguing his new responsibilities with Spire differ significantly from his previous role. He likened his current position to that of a general manager, distinct from his prior function as an offensive coordinator at JGR, implying a shift in authority and duties.
Gabehart acknowledged photographing JGR files and creating the contested “Spire” folder but stated this was solely to evaluate whether to accept the Spire offer. He asserted he chose to fund his own forensic audit, which, according to him, demonstrated,
“there is no evidence I transmitted, distributed, used or otherwise shared any JGR confidential information. No text messages. No email attachments. No dissemination whatsoever.”
In response to the accusations, Gabehart stated that JGR’s lawsuit
“is not about protecting trade secrets, it is about punishing a former employee for daring to leave.”
History of Tension Between Gabehart and JGR
The relationship between Gabehart and the team soured over recent months, culminating in his dismissal on February 9. Gabehart claims that challenges intensified last season, particularly after being pressured to act as crew chief for Ty Gibbs—team owner Joe Gibbs’ grandson and the son of co-owner Heather Gibbs—despite a previous promotion to competition director. Gabehart has suggested that internal conflicts and leadership changes made his position untenable and led to his departure.
Joe and Heather Gibbs were both present in court for the Friday hearing. In submitted court documents, Gabehart described ongoing friction with the team’s future leaders, referencing the impact on his work environment:
“I am not certain that the resentment that Heather and Ty now clearly show towards me will ever be repaired,”
—Chris Gabehart, Former JGR Competition Director— and,
“And with them being the future leaders of this company, I’m afraid that leaves me in a no-win situation.”
Spire Motorsports’ Stance on the Accusations
Dan Towriss, Spire Motorsports co-owner, spoke from an IndyCar race in Florida and categorically denied that Spire acquired any data from Joe Gibbs Racing or that Gabehart offered such information. He suggested that JGR’s frustration stems from losing Gabehart to a team that isn’t a traditional powerhouse, stating JGR was upset that he left
“for someone other than a blue blood team.”
—Dan Towriss, Spire Motorsports Co-owner—
Towriss insisted the team was run with integrity, elaborating,
“I feel very good about how Spire has conducted things, Spire doesn’t want data from Joe Gibbs Racing. It doesn’t have data from Joe Gibbs Racing. At no point in time has it had data from Joe Gibbs Racing,”
—Dan Towriss, Spire Motorsports Co-owner— and further explained that Gabehart only discussed internal team details publicly because of the litigation.
“I’m sure Chris didn’t want to have to share some of those details,”
Towriss commented.
“But when they claim that Spire tortuously interfered, you know, in his contract, he has to say … these are the reasons why I left. He’s not there to to just sling mud around.”
Background on Spire Motorsports and Key Individuals
Spire Motorsports began its NASCAR Cup campaign in 2019 and, despite only one on-track victory, has expanded into a three-car organization, now primarily owned by Towriss and TWG Motorsports. Daily operations are managed by co-owner Jeff Dickerson, with drivers Michael McDowell, Daniel Suarez, and Carson Hocevar piloting the team’s Chevrolet entries.
Chris Gabehart’s career in NASCAR started as an engineer at JGR in 2012. He advanced to crew chief, guiding Denny Hamlin to six successful seasons, accruing 22 Cup wins, including two Daytona 500 victories, before being named competition director ahead of the 2025 season.
Looking Ahead in the Legal Battle
With both organizations awaiting the judge’s final ruling, the outcome will influence how teams manage sensitive information, relationships with high-level staff such as Gabehart, and even non-compete clauses going forward. The Spire Motorsports lawsuit news continues to draw attention, as Judge Rodriguez’s pending decision could potentially set new precedents for employment and confidentiality disputes in NASCAR and beyond.
