Joe Gibbs Racing pulling no punches in lawsuit against Chris Gabehart

Joe Gibbs Racing isn't holding back in its lawsuit against former JGR crew chief and competition director Chris Gabehart. 

The organization sued Gabehart on Feb. 19 after he allegedly stole sensitive information from the team as he prepared to take a role with Spire Motorsports. Spire officially hired Gabehart on Feb. 21.

On Tuesday, however, JGR asked that the court file a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction in the case that would direct Gabehart cease and desist from his duties at Spire Motorsports for 18 months after Feb. 9 or that Spire no longer employ Gabehart. 

Joe Gibbs Racing also amended its initial complaint to add Spire as a defendant in the case. 

Chris Gabehart's departure from JGR was messy

Also unveiled in court documents Tuesday was Gabehart's termination letter, dated Feb. 9. In the letter, which was signed by JGR owner Joe Gibbs, Gabehart's employment agreement was said to be terminated due to "policies and procedures relating to the safeguarding of confidential information and the North Carolina Trade Secrets Protection Act and federal Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016."