Joe Gibbs Racing finally wrote a check to stop Spire Motorsports from dragging them through court. The team paid $108,087.67 to clear a specific claim about car chief Cheddar Smith. This move ends one part of a nasty legal battle that has dragged on since June 2025. Spire had sued JGR over how Smith moved to the No. 54 car. They claimed an agreement was broken. Now the money is gone from the table.
The payment covers the $100,000 fee plus interest. Per Motorsport.com NASCAR Cup, the interest came to $8,087.67. From the conclusion of the 2025 season through November 6, 2026, this sum accumulated. JGR calculated the rate at eight percent simple interest per year. The team says this settles the debt Spire described in its own filing. Even though JGR denies the original trade deal ever existed, they paid up anyway. They want the court to throw out the counterclaim.
Why The Cash Matters Now
Spire Motorsports wanted a trade of employees or cash back in April 2025. When that did not happen, the teams started fighting. JGR Chief Commercial Officer Eric Schaffer laid out the exact numbers in a formal declaration. He noted the payment includes the full amount Spire asked for plus extra for the wait. This ends the dispute over Smith’s contract. It leaves the bigger fight between JGR and former director Chris Gabehart still alive. JGR still claims Gabehart stole trade secrets when he left for Spire. Both sides deny this.
The team just hired Stephen Doran to lead the No. 71 car in 2027. According to Speedway Media, Doran returns to Spire after winning races with Shane van Gisbergen at Trackhouse Racing. He brings a winning track record to the team. Spire Co-Owner Jeff Dickerson spoke about the new hire on Monday. “Our 2027 season starts today so we’re eager to bring Stephen back to Spire Motorsports,” said Spire Motorsports Co-Owner Jeff Dickerson. The team will focus on the track after the legal bill is paid.
A Clean Slate For The Season
The $108,087.67 payment buys JGR peace on this specific issue. It removes the need for a judge to decide if a contract existed. The court can now dismiss the claim because there is nothing left to recover. This lets both teams move past the fighting over Cheddar Smith. The focus shifts to the drivers and the crew chiefs for the next year. Spire has a new leader for the No. 71. JGR has cleared a hurdle in its lawsuit against Gabehart.
The legal document filed on November 6, 2026, asserted that subject-matter jurisdiction was absent, warranting dismissal of the counterclaims.
