JGR Seeks Expedited Court Action Over Gabehart's Spire Move

Allegations of trade secret violations intensify legal battle between Joe Gibbs Racing and former crew chief Chris Gabehart.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Joe Gibbs Racing is seeking expedited court action and a temporary restraining order against former crew chief Chris Gabehart over his move to Spire Motorsports. JGR alleges Gabehart began transferring proprietary team data to personal devices months before his departure, raising questions about whether Spire encouraged or induced the move. Gabehart admits to taking photos of data but denies sharing trade secrets, offering to undergo forensic examinations. The legal dispute has escalated, with the next ruling potentially determining if Gabehart can continue in his new role at Spire.

Why it matters

This case highlights the high-stakes battle over employee poaching and trade secret protection in the competitive world of NASCAR. The outcome could set precedents around non-compete clauses, data ownership, and the limits of employee mobility between rival teams.

The details

According to filings, JGR claims the "seeds" of Gabehart's departure were planted as early as October 2025, when he allegedly met with Spire co-owner Dan Towriss to discuss a potential role. Digital forensic evidence also suggests Gabehart began transferring proprietary team data around that time. JGR further alleges Gabehart searched the term "indemnify" online shortly after a December meeting with Spire co-owner Jeff Dickerson, suggesting potential discussions about legal protection. The team is now seeking to compel Spire and Gabehart to produce communications related to employment negotiations, indemnification agreements, and access to JGR's race setups, strategy, sponsorships, and personnel.

  • On October 21, 2025, Gabehart allegedly met with Spire co-owner Dan Towriss to discuss a potential role.
  • Around the same period in October 2025, digital forensic evidence shows Gabehart began transferring or storing proprietary team data on personal devices and cloud accounts.
  • On December 2, 2025, Gabehart allegedly met with Spire co-owner Jeff Dickerson.
  • Two days after the December 2 meeting, Gabehart searched the term "indemnify" online.
  • Gabehart signed a three-year agreement with JGR in 2025 but left after just one season in 2026.

The players

Chris Gabehart

A former crew chief at Joe Gibbs Racing who left the team to join Spire Motorsports as their Chief Motorsports Officer, a move that has sparked a legal battle with his former employer.

Joe Gibbs Racing

A NASCAR powerhouse team that is seeking expedited court action and a temporary restraining order against Gabehart, alleging he transferred proprietary team data before leaving the organization.

Spire Motorsports

The NASCAR team that hired Gabehart as their Chief Motorsports Officer, which has now become embroiled in the legal dispute with Joe Gibbs Racing.

Dan Towriss

A co-owner of Spire Motorsports who allegedly met with Gabehart in October 2025 to discuss a potential role at the team.

Jeff Dickerson

A co-owner of Spire Motorsports who allegedly met with Gabehart in December 2025.

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What they’re saying

“We must protect our intellectual property and the hard work of our team. This is not about retaliation, it's about upholding our values and the sanctity of our sport.”

— Todd Berrier, Longtime Executive, Joe Gibbs Racing (profootballnetwork.com)

“I made a mistake in taking photos of data, but I have not shared any trade secrets with Spire. I'm willing to undergo any forensic examinations to prove it.”

— Chris Gabehart (profootballnetwork.com)

“Gabehart signed a confidentiality agreement before officially starting with us, agreeing not to disclose or use any of JGR's confidential information.”

— Spire Motorsports (profootballnetwork.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on whether to grant JGR's request for expedited discovery and a temporary restraining order, which could determine if Gabehart can continue in his new role at Spire Motorsports.

The takeaway

This legal battle underscores the intense competition and high stakes involved when top talent moves between rival NASCAR teams. The outcome could set important precedents around employee mobility, trade secret protection, and the limits of non-compete clauses in the sport.