NASCAR driver ordered to pay $850,000 after affair lawsuit under North Carolina law
Jennifer Jo Cobb was ordered to pay $850,000 to Tracey Hughes after a jury found her liable for an affair that ended Hughes' 17-year marriage.
In a civil case filed under North Carolina’s homewrecker law, a jury found NASCAR veteran Jennifer Jo Cobb liable for an extramarital relationship with Clayton Odie Hughes that allegedly destroyed his 17-year marriage. Tracey Hughes, the scorned spouse, was awarded $50,000 for alienation of affection and $800,000 for criminal conversation, totaling $850,000. The complaint described Cobb’s repeated calls, texts, and arranged meetings with Hughes while she was traveling for races.
The judgment noted that Hughes was not listed as a defendant in the suit. Cobb competed in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and the Truck Series from 2001 through 2024. The verdict underscores the legal risks of personal conduct under North Carolina’s civil statutes.
Why it matters
The ruling highlights how personal conduct can lead to substantial civil liability under North Carolina’s homewrecker law.
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