World · North America · 1 hr ago
Judge delays ruling on Gibbs, Gabehart and Spire dispute
Joe Gibbs Racing is accusing former executive Chris Gabehart and Spire Motorsports of using its trade secrets.
A North Carolina court heard arguments over the dispute on Tuesday.
The judge considered whether to hold Spire and Gabehart in contempt of earlier court orders and whether to extend restrictions to Spire.
Existing orders bar Gabehart from using or sharing alleged trade secrets, including race strategy and engineering data.
JGR says Spire’s car-building methods changed after Gabehart arrived, while Spire says those methods are common practices.
The teams disagree over what counts as a trade secret, and Spire says its improved results reflect greater spending and other factors.
The judge issued no ruling, so the dispute remains unresolved.
A judge in North Carolina did not rule after a hearing on Joe Gibbs Racing’s dispute with Chris Gabehart and Spire Motorsports.
The hearing addressed whether to hold contempt proceedings over alleged violations of court orders and whether Spire should be covered by an injunction and temporary restraining order.
The existing orders bar Gabehart from using or disclosing alleged Joe Gibbs Racing trade secrets.
Joe Gibbs Racing argued that Spire should be prevented from using practices it says reflect those secrets, while Spire called the practices common shop talk.
The judge said the parties had not agreed on what constitutes a trade secret.
- Who
- Joe Gibbs Racing, Chris Gabehart and Spire Motorsports appeared in court.
- What
- The court heard arguments about possible contempt proceedings and whether Spire should be added to an injunction and temporary restraining order.
- When
- Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
- Where
- The Western District of North Carolina court.
- Why
- The court was considering whether Spire and Gabehart violated preliminary court orders and whether those orders should also apply to Spire.
Joe Gibbs Racing
Spire Motorsports
Trade secrets
Joe Gibbs Racing
Joe Gibbs Racing argued that information Gabehart allegedly brought to Spire was proprietary and sought to bar Spire from using certain practices.
Spire Motorsports
Spire said the construction practices and tire-pressure ranges at issue were common practices or shop talk, not proprietary information.
Spire's performance
Joe Gibbs Racing
Joe Gibbs Racing cited Spire's improving results as evidence that Gabehart and his information were benefiting the team.
Spire Motorsports
Spire attributed its gains to increased spending, fewer DNFs, and adding veteran driver Daniel Suarez.
The court had issued an injunction and temporary restraining order restricting Gabehart's use or disclosure of alleged Joe Gibbs Racing trade secrets.
The parties argued over contempt proceedings and whether Spire should be added to the injunction and temporary restraining order.
The hearing concluded, and Judge Susan C. Rodriguez had not ruled on either matter.
- Court
- Western District of North Carolina
- Judge
- Susan C. Rodriguez
- Hearing end
- 3:30 p.m.
- Existing orders
- Restrict Gabehart from using or disclosing alleged Joe Gibbs Racing trade secrets
- Joe Gibbs Racing attorney
- Thomas M. Melsheimer
What people are saying
Gabehart had a longstanding plan to acquire and distribute Joe Gibbs Racing trade secrets to Spire Motorsports.
I remember,
Sources
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