Here’s What Happened in the JGR vs. Chris Gabehart/Spire Lawsuit This Week (June 13-19)

Joe Gibbs Racing and Spire Motorsports have been on heaters in the NASCAR Cup Series, with the teams accounting for five of the last eight victories, including the past five races (counting the All-Star Race).

However, the speed on the track hasn’t caused the off-track drama to come to a halt between the two teams.

JGR’s lawsuit against Chris Gabehart, its former competition director, and Spire Motorsports is entering its fifth month, with plenty yet to be decided between the parties.

A trial date has been set for January 2027 in the Western District of North Carolina, with Judge Susan C. Rodriguez presiding over the case.

JGR initially filed its complaint against Gabehart for misappropriating its confidential information and trade secrets by taking at least 20 photos of the information, which included items such as race analysis documents, engine output sheets, race set-ups, compensation spreadsheets and more.

Soon after, JGR included Spire in its complaint for allegedly hiring Gabehart despite knowing about a noncompete term in his separation agreement, as well as encouraging him to share the data in his possession.

Most recently, JGR sought approval from the court to amend its complaint to include more accusations against Spire, which the court granted. On Monday (June 15), JGR submitted its second amended complaint.

Catch up on the key additions to the complaint with our coverage below.

Read all of Frontstretch’s content covering the Joe Gibbs Racing vs. Gabehart/Spire lawsuit here

• JGR opened its amended complaint by reiterating that it believes Gabehart “embarked on a brazen scheme to steal JGR’s most sensitive information and use it for the benefit of a direct competitor in NASCAR—Spire,” the filing read. JGR further presented its attempt to recover “extensive damages” as a result of Spire and Gabehart allegedly violating his contract and misappropriating JGR’s trade secrets.

• The newest additions to the complaint primarily centered around JGR’s recent accusations against Spire of tortious interference regarding Gabehart’s contract as well as allegedly creating a “bespoke” role for him to cover up any crossover between his current role and the one he held at JGR.

• JGR alleged that Spire allowed Gabehart to enter its race shop in December 2025 and January 2026, which JGR claims was a violation of Gabehart’s contractual and separation agreement and that Spire was aware of those conditions at the time.

• According to JGR’s timeline, Spire became of the agreement when Bill Anthony (Spire’s president) received a call from Eric Schaeffer (JGR’s vice executive president and chief operating officer) warning Spire about hiring Gabehart due to his noncompete and non-solicitation terms.

• By accusing Spire of creating a “bespoke role” as its chief motorsports officer, Spire further contended that “Spire hired [Gabehart] to that role and has continuously induced Gabehart to violate his noncompete and confidentiality obligations by permitting and/or requiring him to perform the same or similar services he provided JGR…”

• JGR stated the only reason Spire created the role was with the intention of “deception,” arguing that it was created to allow Gabehart opportunities for advisement on competitive leadership decisions at NASCAR Cup Series races.

• Additionally, JGR noted once again that an anonymous Spire employee informed a JGR employee that Gabehart plays an integral role in Spire’s competition decisions, and that Spire employees have allegedly been instructed to not discuss the nature of Gabehart’s role in competition decisions when they are outside of Spire.

• JGR believes that Spire’s hiring of Gabehart has had an immediate and direct impact on its performance this season, and that the move “was motivated by a desire to compete unfairly against JGR and to intentionally harm JGR’s competitive interests through unlawful means,” the filing stated.

• Spire has already had its winningest season with two victories, and two of its drivers are currently in position to make the Chase (Carson Hocevar and Daniel Suarez).

• In reiteration of its claims for relief, JGR is seeking $8 million in damages from Gabehart and Spire and for Spire to cease its employment of Gabehart for allegedly violating his noncompete terms. JGR is also seeking an order for Gabehart to return any confidential information and trade secrets in his possession to the organization.