Joe Gibbs Racing Filed Contempt Motion Against Gabehart
The racing team alleges that Chris Gabehart and Spire Motorsports violated a court injunction regarding data.
Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Motorsports
Live Poll
Should companies be allowed to enforce non-compete agreements that restrict an employee's future career opportunities?
Joe Gibbs Racing has filed a motion to hold former employee Chris Gabehart and Spire Motorsports in contempt of court. The team claims Gabehart violated an existing injunction by allegedly discussing proprietary tire pressure and vehicle setup details.
Why it matters
The dispute centers on allegations that Gabehart improperly transferred proprietary information to a personal Google Drive folder after his departure. Both sides remain locked in a legal battle over the enforceability of an 18-month non-compete agreement.
Chris Gabehart earns a $3 million annual base salary at Spire Motorsports under an 18-month non-compete agreement that is currently being contested in court. The legal dispute follows the termination of his employment at Joe Gibbs Racing in February 2026.
The players
Joe Gibbs Racing
This professional motorsports organization competes in major racing series and is the primary plaintiff in the current legal action.
Chris Gabehart
He is a former Joe Gibbs Racing engineer currently employed by Spire Motorsports who is embroiled in a dispute over a non-compete agreement.
Spire Motorsports
This racing team is a defendant in the contempt motion and the current employer of Chris Gabehart.
Tristan McKee
He is a 16-year-old racer driving the number 77 truck who signed with Spire Motorsports in January 2025.
The details
Joe Gibbs Racing claims Gabehart violated court-imposed restrictions on his work, though Gabehart and Spire Motorsports argue the non-compete became moot after the team stopped paying his wages in November 2025. A federal jury trial is scheduled for February 1, 2027, to resolve the underlying lawsuit.
Timeline
Chris Gabehart joined Joe Gibbs Racing as an engineer in 2012.
Joe Gibbs Racing stopped paying Chris Gabehart's wages in November 2025.
The lawsuit began after Chris Gabehart left Joe Gibbs Racing in February 2026.
A federal jury trial is scheduled to begin on February 1, 2027.
Season Trajectory
This ongoing legal tension threatens to disrupt technical operations and focus for Spire Motorsports as they manage a young driver roster. The outcome of the contempt motion could alter the competitive landscape for the remainder of the season and influence future team hiring strategies.
The contempt motion forces a public focus on the internal technical data sharing between Gabehart and his current team. Observers should watch for how potential judicial sanctions might limit the technical support available for the number 77 truck in upcoming races.
The takeaway
This case highlights the growing friction in motorsports regarding the transition of intellectual property between rival organizations. Teams often use restrictive covenants to protect vehicle setup data, but such agreements remain complex to enforce when compensation disputes arise.
What happens next
Tristan McKee is scheduled to race at Phoenix Raceway on October 16 and at Martinsville Speedway on October 30, with a federal jury trial beginning on February 1, 2027.
Further reading
For more on ongoing industry disputes, visit Motorsports.
Live Poll
Should companies be allowed to enforce non-compete agreements that restrict an employee's future career opportunities?
