Former JGR Comp. Dir Gabehart Issues Sworn Declaration in opposition to JGR Filing
Updated Monday 3/2/26 - Gabehart allowed to work for Spire with limitations
Monday 3/2/26 UPDATE:
A federal judge ruled Monday that former Joe Gibbs Racing competition director Chris Gabehart can continue to work for Spire Motorsports as long as it is not doing the same job he performed with his old NASCAR team. March 16th deadline set for hearing.
Friday 2/27 UPDATE:
No ruling issued Friday on request for a temporary restraining order that would prevent former Joe Gibbs Racing comp. director Chris Gabehart from working for NASCAR team Spire Motorsports. Gabehart is allowed to work for Spire this weekend.
U.S District Court Judge Susan C Rodriguez for the Western District of North Carolina encouraged attorneys for former employer JGR, Gabehart and new employer Spire to keep talking but they have until Sunday night to come up with a resolution that works for all sides. If that doesn’t happen - she will rule in court on Monday on the temporary injunction.
What the legal action is about:
Former Joe Gibbs Racing Competition Director Chris Gabehart (now Spire Motorsports as Chief Motorsports Officer) filed a declaration in opposition to the Joe Gibbs Racing Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary Injunction in United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina Charlotte Division today. It read:
During the 2025 season, the filing by Gabehart stated he became dissatisfied with certain responsibilities of his position as Competition Director at JGR and other aspects of how JGR’s race teams were being run.
In his filing, Gabehart admitted that on November 7, 2025, he took photographs on his phone of a JGR excel file, with multiple tabs, and other notes and files that he created or had a significant role in their development. He testified that all of the information contained within the files was relevant to his job at JGR. He noted he understood his confidentiality obligations to JGR and had no intent to violate those obligations.
Based on the foregoing, Gabehart asked that JGR’s Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order should be denied saying in the filing,
“The comprehensive forensic examination—conducted by JGR’s own chosen examiner, pursuant to JGR’s own drafted protocol, and paid for entirely by me confirmed that I did not transmit, distribute, or share any JGR confidential information. JGR cannot demonstrate a likelihood of success on the merits, irreparable harm, or any other basis for the extraordinary relief it seeks.”
Joe Gibbs Racing asked for a restraining order preventing Gabehart from working for Spire Motorsports. Gabehart’s filing addressed that:
Click HERE to read the entire Gabehart filing.
Joe Gibb’s Racing files amended complaint:
JGR amended it’s original complaint filing adding Spire Motorsports as a defendant, and asking for a temporary restraining order.
In the updated filing, JGR alleges that Gabehart copied and retained extensive confidential competition and financial data – including race setup files, simulation reports, payroll details, sponsor revenue information and internal analytics – shortly before leaving the organization and later accepting a role as Spire’s Chief Motorsports Officer. JGR claims the materials were stored in a folder labeled “Spire” on Gabehart’s personal Google Drive and included more than 20 setup and simulation files along with post-race analysis documents.
Click HERE to Read the amended complaint filed by Joe Gibbs Racing
Chris Gabehart has been known to be a talented crew chief and stand up guy in the NASCAR garage and Joe Gibbs is greatly respected within the sport so this will be a story to watch as it continues to develop just as the NASCAR race season is starting.
First, I love your articles. Just my perception, but it seems like Ty Gibbs is the root of the problem here.
Frankly, I hope Gabehart prevails in this matter. He is one of the top minds in the business and the limits placed on him by JGR relative to the 54 team likely provide crystallized insight into why the 54 is still winless in Cup after three-plus seasons and over 100 starts. Family is always going to get the nod, but it also exemplifies less than 100% commitment to winning. Much like the 23XI/FRM-NASCAR lawsuit, it would be in the best interests to settle this quickly, and out of court. The big, bad JGR empire strikes again. Hopefully, strikes out!