Joe Gibbs Racing lawsuit against Spire Motorsports and Chris Gabehart sees key claim withdrawn

Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) has been pursuing an $8 million federal lawsuit against former crew chief Chris Gabehart and rival NASCAR team Spire Motorsports, alleging misappropriation of trade secrets and breach of a non‑compete agreement after Gabehart left JGR to become Spire’s chief motorsports officer. The suit, filed in early 2024, also claimed that Gabehart was directing Spire’s competition strategy.

In a filing on July 29, JGR withdrew the most explosive allegation – that Gabehart was actively involved in Spire’s day‑to‑day competition decisions – stating it “does not possess non‑privileged information sufficient to support the allegations.” The withdrawal does not end the broader lawsuit, which remains scheduled for a nine‑day jury trial beginning February 1, 2027, just before the Daytona 500. The dispute has also played out publicly on the track, with JGR driver Denny Hamlin repeatedly mocking Spire and former JGR crew chief Chris Gabehart during races and media appearances.

Spire and Gabehart have denied the accusations and filed counterclaims. A federal judge has allowed Gabehart to stay employed at Spire but barred him from work directly related to JGR while the case proceeds.