Joe Gibbs Racing seeks sanctions against Spire and Chris Gabehart
8 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 24, 2026, 1:38 PM
Last updated Sep 24, 2026
Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) filed a motion in the Western District of North Carolina, asking the court to hold Chris Gabehart and Spire Motorsports in civil contempt. JGR alleges that both have violated a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction issued in March. This lawsuit stems from Gabehart's departure from JGR, where he is accused of breaching a contract and misappropriating proprietary information to benefit Spire. JGR contends that Gabehart has continued to perform duties similar to his previous role at JGR while employed at Spire. The next step involves a court hearing for Gabehart and Spire to explain their actions in light of the allegations.
- •JGR requests court to find Gabehart and Spire in contempt.
- •Contempt claims relate to a restraining order from March.
- •Gabehart is accused of continuing his former role at Spire.
- •Court hearing for defendants is pending.
- •Litigation stems from Gabehart's departure from JGR.
- 1:38 PMRacer — JGR, Spire still bickering as trial date looms
- 8:54 PMMotorsport.com — Spire and Joe Gibbs Racing disagree on what items to produce through lawsuit discovery
- 9:37 PMYahoo Sports — Joe Gibbs Racing vs. Spire Motorsports Lawsuit Timeline: How NASCAR’s Legal Fight Got Here
- 11:13 AMRacer — Spire hits back at latest JGR filing
- 12:08 AMYahoo Sports — Spire "will not be bullied" as they hit back at Joe Gibbs Racing in new statement
- 12:08 AMMotorsport.com — Spire "will not be bullied" as they hit back at Joe Gibbs Racing in new statement
- 5:41 PMYahoo Sports — Joe Gibbs Racing motions to issue sanctions against Spire, Chris Gabehart
- 5:41 PMMotorsport.com — Joe Gibbs Racing motions to issue sanctions against Spire, Chris Gabehart
"Joe Gibbs Racing is asking the Western District of North Carolina to hold Chris Gabehart and Spire Motorsports in civil contempt because it claims both defendants have violated the temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction placed against them in March. Specifically, JGR is asking that the defendants appear in court to explain why they should not be held in contempt. This is all ...Keep reading
"Throughout nearly a full NASCAR season featuring a lawsuit between Joe Gibbs Racing vs. its former competition director, Chris Gabehart, and his new employer, Spire Motorsports, now there are specific examples of what this is specifically about. Joe Gibbs Racing filed the lawsuit in February after Spire confirmed that it had hired Gabehart to serve as Chief Motorsports Officer. The claims ...Keep reading
"Spire Motorsports has released a new statement in response to Joe Gibbs Racing’s latest court filing. Earlier this year, JGR sued Gabehart and later Spire, alleging a 'brazen scheme to steal sensitive information' from the organization. This week, JGR is attempting to get the Western District of North Carolina to hold its ex-competition director Chris Gabehart and Spire in contempt, while ...Keep reading
Sources
External links- RacerSep 24, 2026, 1:38 PMJGR, Spire still bickering as trial date looms
Joe Gibbs Racing and Spire Motorsports continue to move closer to the trial date in their ongoing dispute over stolen trade secrets and are now arguing over which documents to make available.In a Wednesday response to a filing from Joe Gibbs Racing about wanting specific documents, Spire Motorsports has shed...
- Motorsport.comSep 23, 2026, 8:54 PMSpire and Joe Gibbs Racing disagree on what items to produce through lawsuit discovery
Throughout nearly a full NASCAR season featuring a lawsuit between Joe Gibbs Racing vs. its former competition director, Chris Gabehart, and his new employer, Spire Motorsports, now there are specific examples of what this is specifically about. Joe Gibbs Racing filed the lawsuit in February after Spire confirmed that it had hired Gabehart to serve as Chief Motorsports Officer. The claims ...Keep reading
- Yahoo SportsSep 20, 2026, 9:37 PMJoe Gibbs Racing vs. Spire Motorsports Lawsuit Timeline: How NASCAR’s Legal Fight Got Here
The legal fight between Joe Gibbs Racing, Spire Motorsports and Chris Gabehart has become increasingly complicated. Here's how NASCAR's off-track battle got to this point.
- RacerSep 19, 2026, 11:13 AMSpire hits back at latest JGR filing
The ongoing case between Spire Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing took another turn on Friday with JGR asking the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina to hold Chris Gabehart and Spire in contempt.
- Yahoo SportsSep 19, 2026, 12:08 AMSpire "will not be bullied" as they hit back at Joe Gibbs Racing in new statement
Spire boss Jeff Dickerson released a new statement, responding to the latest motion put forward by Joe Gibbs Racing in their ongoing legal battle
- Motorsport.comSep 19, 2026, 12:08 AMSpire "will not be bullied" as they hit back at Joe Gibbs Racing in new statement
Spire Motorsports has released a new statement in response to Joe Gibbs Racing’s latest court filing. Earlier this year, JGR sued Gabehart and later Spire, alleging a 'brazen scheme to steal sensitive information' from the organization. This week, JGR is attempting to get the Western District of North Carolina to hold its ex-competition director Chris Gabehart and Spire in contempt, while ...Keep reading
- Yahoo SportsSep 18, 2026, 5:41 PMJoe Gibbs Racing motions to issue sanctions against Spire, Chris Gabehart
It also wants Judge Rodriguez to find the defendants in contempt of court
- Motorsport.comSep 18, 2026, 5:41 PMJoe Gibbs Racing motions to issue sanctions against Spire, Chris Gabehart
Joe Gibbs Racing is asking the Western District of North Carolina to hold Chris Gabehart and Spire Motorsports in civil contempt because it claims both defendants have violated the temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction placed against them in March. Specifically, JGR is asking that the defendants appear in court to explain why they should not be held in contempt. This is all ...Keep reading
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days
NASCAR•Nov 8, 2026, 1:16 AMJustin Allgaier wins NASCAR O'Reilly championship; final O'Reilly Series points standings
NASCAR•Nov 8, 2026, 12:54 AMNASCAR O'Reilly Series results, finishing order of championship race at Homestead
NASCAR•Nov 7, 2026, 8:31 PMNASCAR Cup Series Qualifying Results: Who Won The Pole For Homestead?
NASCAR•Nov 7, 2026, 4:10 PMRicky Stenhouse Jr. Says a Cup Team Needs Up to $10M in Sponsors Just to Break Even
NASCAR•Nov 7, 2026, 12:50 PMJustin Allgaier Shuts Down Chase for NASCAR Legend’s All-Time Record
NASCAR•Nov 7, 2026, 5:37 AMKaden Honeycutt charges to Homestead victory and NASCAR Truck Series title