A former senior leader at a prominent NASCAR team is accused of stealing sensitive information to benefit a direct competitor. Joe Gibbs Racing, LLC (JGR) filed a complaint against Christopher Gabehart in the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina on February 19, 2026. The lawsuit alleges that Gabehart, after being denied additional authority within JGR, embarked on a scheme to misappropriate confidential information and trade secrets for Spire Motorsports.
According to the complaint, Gabehart was a trusted member of JGR since 2012, rising through the ranks from engineer to Competition Director. As part of his role, he had access to highly sensitive information regarding racecar setups, performance analytics, and proprietary technologies. JGR asserts that Gabehart’s dissatisfaction with his position led him to demand more control over racing decisions—a request that was denied by JGR owner Joe Gibbs during a meeting on November 6, 2025. Following this denial, Gabehart allegedly began collecting JGR’s confidential data with the intent to use it for Spire Motorsports’ advantage.
The lawsuit details how Gabehart allegedly synced his personal Google Drive with his company laptop and stored numerous files containing JGR’s trade secrets under a folder named “Spire.” These files reportedly included detailed racecar setup data and financial information about JGR’s operations. Despite initial negotiations for an amicable separation agreement between Gabehart and JGR, suspicions arose when it was discovered that he had been meeting with Jeff Dickerson, owner of Spire Motorsports.
JGR’s forensic investigation revealed shocking findings: Gabehart had taken photos of confidential documents using his personal cell phone and saved them in unsecured locations accessible to third parties. This alleged misconduct prompted JGR to terminate their agreement with Gabehart for cause on February 9, 2026. The complaint further accuses Gabehart of soliciting other JGR employees to join Spire and using stolen compensation data as leverage.
Joe Gibbs Racing is seeking extensive damages exceeding $8 million for misappropriation of trade secrets under both federal and state laws. They are also pursuing injunctive relief to prevent further dissemination or use of their confidential information by Gabehart or any third parties. The case highlights the critical importance of safeguarding intellectual property in highly competitive industries like NASCAR.
Representing Joe Gibbs Racing are attorneys Sarah F. Hutchins, Tory Ian Summey, and Charles G. Middlebrooks from Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP. The case is presided over by judges in the Western District of North Carolina under Case No. 3:25-CV-00133.
Source: 326cv00133_Joe_Gibbs_Racing_LLC_v_Gabehart_Complaint_Western_District_North_Carolina.pdf
