Joe Gibbs Racing Seeks $8 Million in Data Theft Lawsuit Against Former Director

2026-02-23 companies

Huntersville, Monday, 23 February 2026.
Joe Gibbs Racing sues former director Chris Gabehart for $8 million, alleging he misappropriated proprietary car setups and payroll data before joining rival Spire Motorsports.

High-Stakes Corporate Espionage Allegations Rock NASCAR

In a move that exposes the fierce battle for intellectual property within professional motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) has filed a federal lawsuit against its former competition director, Chris Gabehart, seeking $8 million in damages [1][4]. Filed on Thursday, February 19, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, the complaint alleges that Gabehart engaged in a “brazen scheme” to steal sensitive proprietary data before departing the organization [4][6]. The legal action comes just days before Spire Motorsports confirmed on Saturday, February 21, that they have hired Gabehart as their new Chief Motorsports Officer, a high-level executive role that JGR contends was secured using their stolen trade secrets [2][5].

Anatomy of the Alleged Data Theft

The lawsuit details a forensic investigation that JGR claims uncovers a systematic misappropriation of critical team assets. According to the filing, Gabehart synced his personal Google Drive with a JGR-issued laptop and created specific folders labeled “Spire” and “Past Setups” [4][7]. Investigators allege that on January 12, 2026, a review revealed 20 JGR racecar setup files residing in these folders [4]. Furthermore, the team accuses Gabehart of using his mobile device to photograph confidential information displayed on his computer screen on November 7, 2025, bypassing digital transfer logs [7]. The scope of the alleged theft is extensive, reportedly including complete team payroll data, driver compensation details for stars like Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell, sponsor revenue figures for the 2024 through 2026 seasons, and granular tire and pit crew analytics [7].

From Executive Negotiations to Legal War

The conflict appears to stem from a breakdown in contract negotiations in late 2025. On November 6, 2025, Gabehart reportedly met with owner Joe Gibbs to request “carte blanche authority” over all racing decisions [4][7]. When this request was denied, Gabehart signaled his intent to leave the organization. JGR alleges that shortly after this rejection, Gabehart began accessing the “Spire Folder” on dates that coincided with secret meetings with Spire Motorsports co-owner Jeff Dickerson, specifically noting overlapping dates in November and December 2025 [4][7]. While Gabehart claimed on November 13 that he received an “unsolicited” offer from Spire that would not overlap with his JGR duties, JGR argues that his subsequent appointment as Chief Motorsports Officer directly contradicts those assurances [4][7].

Gabehart’s Defense and Industry Implications

Chris Gabehart has issued a strong rebuttal to the lawsuit, characterizing the claims as “frivolous,” “retaliatory,” and “spiteful” [1][3]. In a public statement released on Friday, February 20, Gabehart asserted that a third-party forensic expert he retained examined his devices and found no evidence to support JGR’s allegations [1]. He further noted that he had offered JGR the opportunity to review Spire Motorsports’ systems—an offer he claims was refused in favor of litigation [3]. As the legal process unfolds, JGR has moved to stabilize its internal operations by re-appointing Wally Brown to the role of competition director [2]. This dispute highlights the immense value placed on data analytics in modern NASCAR, where JGR argues the alleged disclosure has “destroyed” their competitive advantage [4].

Sources

Intellectual Property Litigation