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Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) seeks a restraining order to block former competition director Chris Gabehart from joining Spire Motorsports. The team files an amended lawsuit in the Western District of North Carolina, alleging Gabehart orchestrated a scheme to steal sensitive information. JGR claims he violated his contract and appropriated confidential trade secrets after his demands for more authority were denied by owner Joe Gibbs.
The lawsuit estimates damages exceeding $8 million. Initially, JGR did not name Spire as a defendant or seek an injunction against Gabehart's potential employment there. Spire plans to respond to the amended filing.
Gabehart, who joined JGR in 2012, became crew chief for Denny Hamlin and later served as competition director. Under his leadership, Hamlin won 22 Cup races, including two Daytona 500s, and finished in the top five for six consecutive seasons.
The suit alleges Gabehart sought complete control over competition departments and expressed a desire to leave JGR during a November 2025 meeting. A forensic analysis of Gabehart’s issued laptop revealed alarming findings, including searches related to Spire and confidential JGR files. Gabehart has not been with JGR since November 10, 2025, and JGR discovered his plans to join Spire in February.
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