CONCORD, N.C. — NASCAR has come forward to confirm its awareness of claims suggesting that a Cup Series team engineer may have accessed and shared confidential information with a rival team.

Although NASCAR has not released specific information regarding the accusations, the organization noted that no official complaints have been made by either involved team. A spokesperson for the series acknowledged the situation at Charlotte Motor Speedway over the weekend, indicating that a potential scandal is developing between the two parties.

The engineer in question is reportedly in a contract year with Joe Gibbs Racing, as informed by executives from six different teams who provided information under the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter. Joe Gibbs Racing, meanwhile, has opted not to comment further on the situation, while two of their cars remain contenders for the Cup title.

Sources shared that the engineer has been considering job opportunities with other teams as the end of the season approaches. Multiple officials from different teams confirmed discussions about possible employment paths for the engineer, highlighting the level of interest from other teams.

Furthermore, NASCAR has acknowledged reports indicating that one team, which is not participating in the playoffs, allegedly compensated the engineer with cash in exchange for setup data.

However, as things currently stand, NASCAR is limited in its ability to take action; without a lawsuit or a formal grievance presented to the series, there are no clear consequences for such actions. This scenario raises concerns regarding the possibility of team members transferring valuable intellectual property to competitors without facing any serious repercussions.