Legal battle over trade‑secret allegations
Chris Gabehart and Spire Motorsports have filed a countersuit against Joe Gibbs Racing, asserting that the team’s accusations of trade‑secret theft are unfounded and part of a broader smear campaign.
According to the filing, Joe Gibbs Racing’s second amended complaint is viewed as an attempt to punish Gabehart for leaving the organization, with allegations that the team’s forensic examiner disclosed privileged attorney‑client communications.
Gabehart contends that his departure was lawful and that the team violated several statutes, including breach of contract, the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, and the North Carolina Wage and Hour Act, which he says left him unpaid for earned compensation.
Joe Gibbs Racing maintains that Gabehart illicitly obtained sensitive information and transferred it to Spire Motorsports to improve their performance in the NASCAR Cup Series, arguing that the move was part of a coordinated effort to gain a competitive edge.
The dispute also touches on the status of the No. 54 team, driven by Ty Gibbs, which Gabehart says should be subject to the same accountability standards as the rest of the organization’s fleet.
Both parties have requested a jury trial, with the case currently slated for a January 2027 hearing, underscoring the protracted nature of the litigation within the highly competitive NASCAR environment.
The controversy reflects wider tensions in a sport where driver mobility is common, and where teams such as 23XI Racing, Legacy Motor Club, and the sanctioning body NASCAR itself are all implicated in the unfolding legal drama.