DAYTONA BEACH, FL – Joe Gibbs Racing has filed a lawsuit against former Director of Competition Chris Gabehart, alleging a deliberate scheme to steal confidential information for the benefit of a rival NASCAR team. The lawsuit, filed Thursday, accuses Gabehart of misappropriating trade secrets and sensitive data before taking a position with Spire Motorsports, a Chevrolet team aligned with Hendrick Motorsports.
The legal action marks a dramatic turn in a story that began with Gabehart’s unexpected departure from JGR in December 2025. He had spent 13 years with the organization, including a successful run as crew chief for Denny Hamlin, securing 22 Cup Series victories between 2019 and 2024. His recent role as Director of Competition positioned him with access to critical team strategies and technical data.
According to the lawsuit, JGR became aware that Gabehart was pursuing a role with Spire Motorsports, and initially, was led to believe it would not involve responsibilities similar to those he held at JGR. However, the filing alleges that Gabehart accepted a position as Chief Motorsports Officer at Spire and actively worked to transfer JGR’s proprietary information to his new employer. The team claims this constituted a “brazen scheme” to gain a competitive advantage.
A forensic review of Gabehart’s company-issued computer and phone reportedly revealed a timeline of actions demonstrating a plan to extract and transfer sensitive data. JGR alleges that Gabehart accessed confidential information and then circumvented standard file transfer protocols by taking photographs of key data, seemingly to avoid creating a digital trail. At least 20 such photos were reportedly taken.
Spire Motorsports fields three full-time chartered entries in the NASCAR Cup Series and has a technical alliance with Hendrick Motorsports. Jeff Dickerson, co-owner of Spire, reportedly met with Gabehart prior to his hiring.
The timing of this legal action comes as teams prepare for the 2026 NASCAR season. Joe Gibbs Racing has already moved to fill the void left by Gabehart’s departure, bringing back Wally Brown to reprise his previous role within the organization. Joe Gibbs recently discussed these changes, but declined to comment specifically on the circumstances surrounding Gabehart’s exit.
Denny Hamlin, who enjoyed a successful partnership with Gabehart as his crew chief, downplayed the significance of the move when it was initially announced in December. Hamlin stated at the time that he was accustomed to changes within the team and remained focused on the upcoming season.
The lawsuit seeks to prevent Gabehart from utilizing JGR’s confidential information and to recover damages resulting from the alleged misappropriation. The case is unfolding as NASCAR prepares for the Daytona 500, and the outcome could have significant implications for the competitive landscape of the sport.
Further details of the filing are available on Motorsport.com, with a more extensive review expected in the coming days.
The next step in this legal battle will be a response from Gabehart and Spire Motorsports. A court date has not yet been set, and the specifics of the legal proceedings remain to be determined.
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