JGR claims Spire engaged in misconduct by utilizing proprietary information from former director.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Joe Gibbs Racing has accused rival NASCAR team Spire Motorsports of engaging in dishonest practices by hiring its former competition director and utilizing misappropriated intellectual property to enhance its operations.
This allegation was presented in federal court on Thursday as JGR seeks to prevent Chris Gabehart from taking a position with Spire. The racing team, established by NFL Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs, is suing Gabehart and Spire in the Western District of North Carolina, claiming that Gabehart unlawfully transferred JGR data to Spire to increase his value as an employee.
Gibbs, who secured three Super Bowl titles as the coach of Washington’s football team, attended court on Thursday with his daughter-in-law, Heather, who co-owns the racing team.
Tom Melsheimer, the attorney representing JGR, asserted on Thursday that Spire’s desire to improve stemmed from its single Cup Series victory since its establishment in 2018. JGR is recognized as one of the most successful organizations in NASCAR. Melsheimer pointed out that Spire has acknowledged that the 2025 season was disappointing.
“One win provides them with a motive to take shortcuts, hire Gabehart, and we believe it constitutes cheating,” Melsheimer stated. “Being at a disadvantage gives them a reason as a struggling organization seeking to gain an unfair edge.”
Gabehart has confessed to taking photographs of certain data while still with JGR but denies sharing it with anyone. Spire has strongly refuted the claim that it received any data from Gabehart, and JGR has yet to present evidence to back its assertion that Spire is in possession of or utilizing stolen information.
Melsheimer mentioned outside the courtroom that JGR submitted all available evidence on Thursday. Spire’s attorney, Lawrence Cameron, contended that JGR has not provided any proof to validate its claims.
“JGR alleged that he had stolen their ‘secret sauce.’ They specifically claimed that Spire was aware of and encouraged the theft of JGR’s secret sauce. … there simply is no evidence,” Cameron stated.
U.S. District Judge Susan C. Rodriguez listened to nearly four hours of arguments on Thursday as JGR seeks an injunction to bar Gabehart from serving as Spire’s chief motorsports officer. She then took approximately 30 minutes to deliberate before concluding that she requires additional time.
“I’m going to take this under advisement and thoroughly examine it; it’s crucial for the court to get this right,” she remarked, noting that livelihoods are involved. She extended the temporary restraining order currently in place for Gabehart until April 9, which prevents him from carrying out any of the responsibilities he had at Gibbs while at Spire.
The case is complex, as Gabehart claims he was misled regarding his job duties when he was promoted to competition director. He asserts that his position at Gibbs became untenable due to a strained relationship with Gibbs’ grandson, Ty, who competes for the organization.
Gabehart and Gibbs began discussions on a separation agreement shortly after the conclusion of the 2025 season in November. It was during this time that Gabehart took photographs of data and created file folders labeled “Spire” and “Past Setups.”
He maintains that the folders were intended for his personal assessment of whether to join Spire. His attorney acknowledged on Thursday that Gabehart “screwed up” by photographing the data but characterized Gabehart’s spreadsheets and documents as “just part of his nature; he’s a racing enthusiast, an engineer from Purdue.”
During the separation negotiations, JGR discovered that Gabehart had improperly accessed data and hired a private investigator to observe Gabehart having lunch with Spire co-owner Jeff Dickerson in December. Another image was presented in court on Thursday showing Gabehart seated in the grandstands during Sunday’s race at Darlington Raceway.
JGR last compensated Gabehart on November 10 of the previous year, three days after he photographed the data. He was ultimately awarded a performance-based bonus, but his regular paychecks were stopped, which Gabehart interpreted as a breach of contract that permitted him to join Spire.
JGR asserts that Gabehart was terminated for cause on February 9 and is bound by an 18-month non-compete clause that restricts him from working for another NASCAR team. Gabehart and Spire contend that the non-compete is irrelevant because Gibbs ceased payments to Gabehart three months prior.
Source: espn.com
