Charlotte, N.C., February 20, 2026
Joe Gibbs Racing has initiated a federal lawsuit against Chris Gabehart, its former competition director, for allegedly stealing trade secrets valued at over $8 million. The lawsuit includes claims of misappropriation of sensitive proprietary information meant for Spire Motorsports, including crucial competition strategies, data analytics, and driver compensation. Following Gabehart’s separation request in late 2025, a forensic investigation of his laptop revealed suspicious activities relating to the competitor, prompting JGR to take legal action.
Charlotte, N.C.
Joe Gibbs Racing Sues Former Director, Alleging $8 Million Trade Secret Theft
Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR), a prominent NASCAR organization, has filed a federal lawsuit against its former competition director, Chris Gabehart, alleging he orchestrated a “brazen scheme” to steal highly sensitive proprietary information to benefit a direct competitor, Spire Motorsports. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina on Thursday, seeks damages exceeding $8 million and demands that Gabehart be prevented from using or disclosing JGR’s confidential data.
Allegations of Confidential Information Misappropriation
According to the complaint, JGR accuses Gabehart of breaching his contractual obligations by accessing, possessing, and sharing trade secrets related to competition strategy shortly after his demands for increased authority within JGR were denied by team owner Joe Gibbs in November 2025. The lawsuit claims that a forensic investigation of Gabehart’s work-issued laptop revealed a pattern of suspicious activity, including Google searches for Spire Motorsports and the creation of folders titled “Spire” and “Past Setups”.
The team further alleges that Gabehart synced proprietary files to a personal Google Drive folder also labeled “Spire” and retained numerous images of JGR files containing critical information. This stolen data allegedly included detailed car setups, analytics reports, payroll information, driver compensation figures, and sponsorship revenue data. JGR contends that Gabehart accessed and interacted with the “Spire Folder” multiple times in November and December 2025, including on the same day he met with Spire co-owner Jeff Dickerson.
Timeline of Departure and Alleged Actions
Gabehart, who had a significant tenure with JGR, serving as an engineer since 2012, then as Denny Hamlin’s successful crew chief for six seasons, and finally as competition director for the 2025 season, reportedly became dissatisfied with his role. On November 6, 2025, he met with Joe Gibbs and requested “carte blanche authority over all racing decisions.” When Gibbs denied this extensive request, Gabehart expressed his preference to leave the organization.
Following this meeting, JGR began preparing a separation agreement. However, the lawsuit states that JGR learned Gabehart had been meeting with Spire Motorsports, prompting the forensic analysis of his laptop. After the investigation’s “shocking” findings, JGR ceased negotiations with Gabehart and sent a demand letter on December 15, 2025, instructing him to refrain from using or disclosing JGR’s confidential information and to cooperate in a forensic review of his personal devices. Gabehart agreed to return JGR information but declined the comprehensive forensic review. The Associated Press reported Gabehart’s split from Joe Gibbs Racing on December 3, 2025.
JGR learned on February 11, 2026, that Gabehart’s new role with Spire Motorsports would be Chief Motorsports Officer, a position the team believes is too similar to his previous responsibilities at JGR. Spire Motorsports has not publicly announced Gabehart’s hiring.
Legal Ramifications and Industry Impact
JGR is asserting claims under the federal Defend Trade Secrets Act, North Carolina trade secret law, and unfair trade practices statutes, in addition to breach of contract. The lawsuit highlights the high stakes surrounding proprietary engineering data and competitive strategies in NASCAR’s Next Gen era. The organization is seeking not only monetary damages but also injunctive relief to prevent any future use or disclosure of its confidential information and to ensure the return of any data still in Gabehart’s possession. This legal action represents a significant escalation in an off-track dispute, underscoring the intense competition within the sport. All claims in the complaint are allegations, and no court has yet ruled on the merits of the case.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What is the main allegation in the lawsuit filed by Joe Gibbs Racing?
- Joe Gibbs Racing alleges that its former competition director, Chris Gabehart, orchestrated a “brazen scheme” to steal highly sensitive proprietary information to benefit a direct competitor, Spire Motorsports.
- When was the lawsuit filed and where?
- The federal lawsuit was filed on Thursday, February 19, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, Charlotte Division.
- What kind of information is Chris Gabehart accused of stealing?
- Chris Gabehart is accused of stealing detailed car setups, analytics reports, payroll information, driver compensation figures, and sponsorship revenue data.
- What damages is Joe Gibbs Racing seeking?
- Joe Gibbs Racing is seeking damages exceeding $8 million and demands that Gabehart be prevented from using or disclosing JGR’s confidential data.
- What was Chris Gabehart’s role at Joe Gibbs Racing before his departure?
- Chris Gabehart served as Joe Gibbs Racing’s competition director for the 2025 season, and prior to that, he was a successful crew chief for Denny Hamlin’s No. 11 team for six seasons.
Key Features of the Lawsuit
| Feature | Details | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Plaintiff | Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) | Nationwide |
| Defendant | Chris Gabehart, former JGR Competition Director | Nationwide |
| Allegations | Theft of trade secrets, breach of contract, unfair trade practices | Nationwide |
| Location of Filing | U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, Charlotte Division | State-level |
| Date of Filing | Thursday, February 19, 2026 | Nationwide |
| Competitor Implicated | Spire Motorsports | Nationwide |
| Damages Sought | Exceeding $8 million | Nationwide |
| Alleged Stolen Information | Car setups, analytics reports, payroll data, driver compensation, sponsorship revenue | Nationwide |
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