Joe Gibbs Racing filed a lawsuit against Chris Gabehart, accusing the former competition director of data theft, seeking $8M in damages. Amid the initial hearing on February 27, 2026, an email from Gabehart to JGR CFO Tim Carmichael was released, with the former employee spitting fire regarding his position and power within the team.

Chris Gabehart was Denny Hamlin’s former crew chief before becoming the competition director. Earlier this month, JGR filed a lawsuit against Gabehart, accusing the 44-year-old of sending car setup and other data to Spire Motorsports.

Multiple updates about the lawsuit appeared over the last week, with Spire Motorsports confirming that they’ve hired Gabehart, JGR filing for a temporary restraining order on the former employee, and JGR making amends to the case by adding Spire Motorsports as a defendant.

A court hearing took place earlier today to discuss the temporary restraining order. While no decision was taken by the judge on that, an Email from Chris Gabehart to JGR CFO was released with talking points for Gabehart’s meeting with Joe Gibbs.

Gabehart detailed his frustrations in the email dated November 4, 2025, detailing how his decision-making power doesn’t match his responsibilities.

“I’ve been embarrassed both internally and externally. You asked me to do a job and then gave me no internal or public support to actually do the job. In my view, the way was never cleared and therefore my ability to do the job was compromised. I am not sure this can be repaired as 1st impressions can be difficult to undo.”

“Coach, Heather, Dave, Michael, Tim, Wally and Myself were constantly intertwined in making even low to medium level competition decisions,” read another part of the email.

This was followed by Chris Gabehart sharing his concern over Joe Gibbs managing his grandson, Ty Gibbs #54 Toyota. The former competition director suggested that the #54 was one of the four cars, and Gibbs managing it compromised leadership value and structure.

Gabehart also revealed how Ty Gibbs missed some important meetings with no “outward consequences”.

“All of the above suggests to me that you don’t value and/or trust my leadership abilities enough to be a leader of the 54 team from an overall competition perspective. And if you don’t trust me with that, then I don’t expect that you trust me with any of it as a whole,” read the last part of the email.

No decision from the judge on JGR vs Chris Gabehart-Spire Motorsport on the restraining order

As the JGR contingency arrived in the court, the hearing was first delayed as the original judge, Matthew E. Orso, was replaced by Susan C. Rodriguez due to a conflict. The hearing took place as JGR sought a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction against Chris Gabehart.

As per motorsport reporter Alan Cavanna, the judge hasn’t given any decision on the temporary restraining order and asked the two parties to work and agreement.

“No decision today from the judge on the temporary restraining order between Spire/Chris Gabehart and JGR. Judge urged both sides to work on an agreement over the weekend. Without an agreement, judge says she’ll rule on Monday,” read the report

Since no ruling was made, Chris Gabehart is free to continue his work with Spire Motorsports and will likely be at this weekend’s Truck series race at St. Petersburg.