Spire Motorsports says Joe Gibbs Racing is now seeking nearly $150 million in damages in the lawsuit stemming from allegations of misappropriation and tortious interference by Chris Gabehart, who left JGR to work for Spire.
JGR initially sought $8 million in damages from Gabehart and Spire. The lawsuit, which was filed in February, claims the defendants used data that Gabehart brought with him from JGR in the NASCAR Cup Series this season. Gabehart left JGR in November to become Spire’s chief motorsports officer. JGR alleges a violation of a non-compete provision.
In May, United States District Court Judge Susan C. Rodriguez of the Western District of North Carolina set a trial date for Feb. 1, 2027. JGR had sought a November 2026 trial start, citing concerns about evidence and a desire to begin discovery as soon as possible. The defendants targeted next May, arguing that depositions could interfere with the current NASCAR season.
According to a report by motorsport.com on Thursday, JGR has sought an order from Rodriguez to delay multiple pretrial deadlines.
The reason behind the substantial increase in JGR’s damages request is the additional work required after documents were obtained in the latter stages of discovery. But JGR does not want the trial delayed; it wants it completed before the start of the 2027 season.
Spire claimed this week that JGR continues to withhold documents the court ordered it to produce, including the organization’s contracts with Toyota Racing Development. According to Spire, that “dramatically undermines JGR’s damages case.”
Rodriguez ruled on Wednesday that the trial will still begin Feb. 1, but issued three rulings in a text-only court order: expert discovery, or reopened fact depositions, must be completed no later than Nov. 2; summary judgment motions are due Nov. 9, with responses and opposition due Nov. 23 and replies due Dec. 1; and any party seeking to exclude or limit the testimony of more than one expert witness must do so in a single “omnibus” filing presented to the court no later than Nov. 16. Responses would be due Dec. 7.
Spire placed Gabehart on administrative leave earlier this month. The team is enjoying a strong season, with polarizing driver Carson Hocevar 11th in the Cup Series standings and producing Spire’s first Cup Series win since 2019. Teammate Daniel Suarez sits in 13th. Both drivers made NASCAR’s Chase for the Cup Series championship.
–Field Level Media
