Chris Gabehart, the former crew chief turned competition director at Joe Gibbs Racing, has officially parted ways with the championship-winning team ahead of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season. This move comes after Gabehart’s promotion in 2025, where he transitioned from a crew chief role to a competition director position. While there has been no public announcement from Gabehart or any team regarding his next NASCAR venture, rumors suggest that he may be on his way to join Spire Motorsports for the upcoming season.
Spire Motorsports, a relatively young team in the Cup Series co-owned by Jeff Dickerson, has been steadily making progress since entering the sport in 2019. The potential addition of Gabehart, a seasoned professional with a championship-contending background, could signal the team’s ambition to enhance their competitiveness and stability against the top teams in NASCAR.
Currently, Spire Motorsports fields three full-time rides in the Cup Series, with drivers Michael McDowell, Carson Hocevar, and Daniel Suarez behind the wheels of their respective cars. However, the announcement of the crew chief for these drivers has yet to be made. If Gabehart does join Spire, his specific role within the team is still unknown. While he held the title of Competition Director at Joe Gibbs Racing, his vast experience as a crew chief could see him taking on a different role at Spire.
Looking back at Gabehart’s successful tenure at Joe Gibbs Racing, he initially joined the team in 2012 as a race engineer for Kyle Busch’s #18 Toyota in the Cup Series. After showcasing his engineering and technical skills, Gabehart was promoted to crew chief in JGR’s NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series program from 2016 to 2018. During this time, his teams secured 9 wins with various drivers.
From 2019 to 2024, Gabehart served as the crew chief for Denny Hamlin and the #11 team, achieving remarkable success. Together, they amassed 22 Cup Series victories, including two Daytona 500 wins and a victory at the 2021 Southern 500. Their partnership also led to three consecutive Championship 4 appearances from 2019 to 2021.
Throughout his 209 races as a crew chief in the Cup Series, Gabehart’s record boasted 11 poles, 90 top-5 finishes, and 120 top-10 finishes. His expertise and track record make him a valuable addition to any team in NASCAR, and his potential move to Spire Motorsports could bring a new level of competitiveness and experience to the up-and-coming organization.
As Gabehart’s NASCAR journey takes another turn, the racing community eagerly awaits confirmation of his next role and the impact he will have on Spire Motorsports in the upcoming season.
