CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Joe Gibbs Racing accused rival NASCAR team Spire Motorsports of cheating by hiring its former competition director and using stolen intellectual property to improve its organization.
The accusation was made in federal court Thursday in JGR’s pursuit to prevent Chris Gabehart from working for Spire. The racing organization founded by NFL Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs is suing Gabehart and Spire in the Western District of North Carolina alleging Gabehart illegally took JGR data to Spire to make himself a more valuable employee.
Gibbs, who won three Super Bowls as coach of Washington’s football team, was in court Thursday alongside his daughter-in-law, Heather, who is co-owner of the race team.
Tom Melsheimer, attorney for JGR, alleged Thursday that Spire was motivated to improve after scoring just one Cup Series victory since its 2018 inception. JGR is one of NASCAR’s winningest organizations. Melsheimer noted that Spire has conceded 2025 was a disappointing season.
“One win gives them a motive to take short cuts, hire Gabehart and we think its cheating,