Chris Gabehart and Spire Motorsports have filed their response to Joe Gibbs Racing’s second amended complaint in the data theft lawsuit. They further reiterated the forensic review of Gabehart’s devices and how there’s no evidence of alleged malpractice.
JGR recently amended its lawsuit to include evidence against Gabehart’s temporary restraining order. The team alleged that, contrary to the court order, Gabehart was performing Competition Director-related duties.
JGR cited a source from inside Spire Motorsports, and the defendants have rubbished the allegations. Here’s an excerpt from the counterclaim, shared by NASCAR analyst Bob Pockrass.
“What JGR’s Second Amended Complaint omits is telling. In an effort to prove that he had done nothing wrong and ensure that JGR’s confidential information was returned before he left the company’s employment, Mr. Gabehart voluntarily submitted to a pre-litigation forensic review—conducted by an examiner of JGR’s own choosing, pursuant to a protocol drafted by JGR’s counsel, and paid for out of Mr. Gabehart’s own pocket.”
“The results were unequivocal: there was no evidence that Mr. Gabehart transmitted, distributed, used, or otherwise shared any JGR confidential information. And when that was not enough, the other target of JGR’s claims, Spire, offered to have its own files forensically examined. JGR ignored this offer—because it wanted a lawsuit more than the truth.”
Pockrass also noted that JGR co-owner, Heather Gibbs, wrote a $ 500,000 check to make Chris Gabehart Ty Gibbs’ crew chief. The veteran was JGR’s competition director when the switch happened.
Spire, meanwhile, alleges that JGR owes them money for sending over their car chief, Cheddar Smith. They also revealed that JGR denied an exchange of Gibbs’ crew chief, Tyler Allen.
Spire Motorsports highlights points standings amidst Chris Gabehart allegations
Spire Motorsports pointed to Joe Gibbs Racing’s place in the top-5 standings, noting how such a dominance shouldn’t be possible with data theft. Two JGR drivers, Denny Hamlin and Ty Gibbs, rank among the top 5.
Season leader and 23XI Racing driver, Tyler Reddick, leads the field while benefiting from JGR’s technical alliance.
“If JGR’s confidential information were truly so valuable and vulnerable—or “stolen” as JGR claims—one would expect to see JGR suffering competitively, not thriving while its technical partner dominates,” Spire’s filing read.
Spire Motorsports has also seen a resurgence in performance. Two of their drivers, Daniel Suarez and Carson Hocevar, rank inside the top-10, at eighth and ninth, respectively. Moreover, Hocevar nabbed the team’s first win since 2019 at Talladega this year, while Suarez won the Coke 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Joe Gibbs Racing’s amended complaint also referenced Spire’s unfiled declaration that mocked the lawsuit. Spire’s X post celebrated Hocevar’s win as a sly dig against JGR.
The legal battle is headed to a November trial, but Spire is fighting to push the litigation to 2027.
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