A message about Chris Gabehart’s car and a plan to take dogs for a walk around it would be an unusual detail in any NASCAR court case. In this one, Spire Motorsports has put exactly that before the court to illustrate what it describes as Joe Gibbs Racing’s “palpable hatred” toward its former competition director. The revelation comes as another Gabehart-related dispute continues to unfold, with JGR using Carson Hocevar’s text exchange with him as part of its latest allegations against the Spire executive.

Spire has pointed to a January discovery that it says demonstrates what it describes as “palpable hatred” toward Gabehart from people associated with JGR, as reported by Matt Weaver. Among the communications is a reference to determining what car Gabehart drove so that dogs could be taken for a walk around it. The discovery also includes discussion about JGR potentially speaking with High Limit Racing co-owner Brad Sweet about charters.

Spire is using those communications to support its characterization of the relationship between Gabehart and his former employer. The material does not, by itself, establish wrongdoing by JGR or prove that the organization acted improperly. Instead, it forms part of Spire’s broader presentation of the circumstances surrounding Gabehart’s departure and the subsequent litigation.

The discovery has surfaced while JGR and Spire continue to fight over Gabehart’s activities after he joined Spire as chief motorsports officer. JGR sued Gabehart in February, alleging that he retained and used confidential information from his former employer. A temporary restraining order and later preliminary injunction restricted Gabehart from performing services for Spire of the general type he performed during his final year at JGR.

JGR’s latest allegations have brought Carson Hocevar directly into that dispute. According to a September contempt filing, Hocevar contacted Gabehart by text on March 28 about specific technical difficulties involving his No. 77 Spire Chevrolet. Gabehart responded, “Stop,” and Hocevar replied, “Copy.” JGR cited the exchange between the two as evidence. They argued that Gabehart was still involved in technical matters concerning Spire’s Cup operation despite the restrictions imposed by the court.

JGR has also pointed to other instances in which it says Gabehart participated in Spire competition meetings and made technical comments. The organization is seeking civil contempt proceedings against Gabehart and Spire, arguing that both violated the court’s orders. Its filing also alleges that Gabehart retained JGR confidential information after the restrictions took effect.

Spire has disputed JGR’s interpretation of those activities. Co-owner Jeff Dickerson responded to the latest filing by arguing that JGR does not control ordinary areas of NASCAR competition, specifically citing tire pressures and race strategy. He said months of discovery had shown Spire had done nothing wrong and stated that the organization would respond to JGR’s claims in court.

The Hocevar exchange has also spilled into the public side of the dispute. After the filing became public, Hocevar referenced the controversy at Bristol by introducing himself as the Joe Gibbs Racing driver of the No. 77 Chevrolet. The remark added another visible moment to a legal dispute that had already moved beyond the courtroom.

The two organizations continue to disagree over what information should be produced and how it should be treated in the case. The result is a legal fight now carrying two distinct narratives. JGR is pointing to the Hocevar text and other competition-meeting evidence to argue that Gabehart continued performing restricted duties. Spire is pointing to the January discovery to portray the relationship with JGR as deeply hostile.

The legal dispute is still ongoing, with both sides continuing to present their arguments through the court process. A federal jury trial in the case is scheduled for February 2027. It will be interesting to see what further details emerge as the case moves toward trial.