# NASCAR Trade-Secret Lawsuit Escalates

> Joe Gibbs Racing seeks $150 million in trade secret damages after Spire Motorsports claims misappropriation of race car setups.
- Title: NASCAR Trade-Secret Lawsuit Escalates · Autoweek | Shortify
- Summary: Joe Gibbs Racing seeks $150 million in trade secret damages after Spire Motorsports claims misappropriation of race car setups. Joe Gibbs Racing is seeking…
- Keywords: joe gibbs racing, spire motorsports, nascar, trade secrets, race car setups, chevrolet, toyota, 2025 cup series, 2026 cup series, nascar lawsuit, jgr, spire
- Source: Autoweek — https://autoweek.com/racing/nascar/a74210352/nascar-trade-secret-lawsuit-escalates
- Author: Deb Williams
- Published: 2026-10-21T23:16:25+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: joe gibbs racing, spire motorsports, nascar, trade secrets, race car setups, chevrolet, toyota, 2025 cup series, 2026 cup series, nascar lawsuit, jgr, spire
## NASCAR Lawsuit Escalates
Joe Gibbs Racing filed a federal lawsuit seeking nearly $150 million in damages against Spire Motorsports.
## Spire Claims Misappropriation
Spire Motorsports alleges JGR misappropriated race car setups from Toyota for its 2025 and 2026 Cup Series seasons.
## JGR's Setup Philosophy
JGR claims Spire used its 'setup philosophies' from hundreds of Toyota race car setups without evidence.
## Spire's Evidence
Spire says JGR has no proof Chris Gabehart possessed the setups when he joined Spire in 2026.
## Documented Claims
Spire claims JGR withheld over 13,000 documents and dumped them on Spire after a court order.
## Damages Dispute
JGR's damages expert states $47.4 million, but JGR seeks nearly $150 million in damages.
## Trial Timeline
The trial begins February 1, 2027, after Spire requests compressed deadlines for expert reports.
## Key takeaway

Joe Gibbs Racing is seeking $150 million in damages for alleged misappropriation of race car setups from Toyota, claiming Spire Motorsports used them without evidence.