Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Judge Lets Gabehart Stay at Spire Under Narrow Order Barring JGR-Style Duties

The court set a March 16 hearing to consider whether to broaden restrictions as the trade-secrets suit advances.

Overview

  • U.S. District Judge Susan C. Rodriguez ruled Chris Gabehart can keep working as Spire Motorsports' chief motorsports officer so long as his tasks do not overlap with his former competition-director role at Joe Gibbs Racing.
  • The order requires Gabehart to return any JGR data or materials, which he says he has already done, and Spire says it has not received.
  • The judge declined to issue the sweeping restraining order JGR sought, calling broader allegations speculative at this stage and requiring JGR to post a $100,000 bond.
  • JGR has filed an expedited discovery motion seeking communications and documents it says could show inducement by Spire, and it is pursuing more than $8 million in damages.
  • Gabehart and Spire deny any misuse of JGR trade secrets, emphasize that his duties differ from his JGR role, and have offered to submit to forensic reviews.