A dispute over talent and money
Spire Motorsports has filed a countersuit against Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR), accusing the team of breaching an implied trade contract after JGR hired Robert "Cheddar" Smith while he was still bound by a non‑compete agreement. The dispute centers on a $100,000 payment that Spire says JGR promised in April 2025 in exchange for Spire relinquishing certain contractual rights.
According to Spire, the agreement required JGR to either select a JGR employee for Spire or honor the $100,000 payment. While JGR accepted the terms, Spire contends the team later refused to release Tyler Allen and Ryan Towles — roles comparable to Smith — and withheld the promised sum, stating, "Spire upheld its end of the bargain. JGR did not."
Chris Gabehart, who previously served as JGR’s competition director, has countersued the organization, alleging unlawful wage withholding, invasive demands and retaliation. Gabehart argues that JGR’s lawsuit is designed to punish him for leaving the team and points to a double standard, noting that JGR did not object when employees moved to Toyota‑aligned rivals such as 23XI Racing or Legacy Motor Club.
The conflict also involves JGR’s chief operating officer, Michael Guttilla, who departed for Legacy Motor Club without legal repercussions, while JGR now seeks to block Gabehart from working for Spire, a Chevrolet‑aligned team. A recent court ruling removed a paragraph from JGR’s complaint that alleged Gabehart violated a non‑compete clause, citing insufficient evidence to support the claim.
JGR’s original lawsuit, filed in February 2026, is scheduled to go to trial on February 1, 2027. The case highlights broader tensions within NASCAR over lateral personnel movements and the enforcement of non‑compete agreements, with Spire arguing that JGR’s litigation is retaliatory and inconsistent with the sport’s historical approach to talent exchange.