Veteran NASCAR driver Jennifer Jo Cobb has been ordered to pay $850,000 in a civil case stemming from allegations that she had an affair with a married man.
Tracey Hughes sued Cobb, 53, claiming the driver played a role in the breakdown of her 17-year marriage to Clayton Odie Hughes in 2020.
A North Carolina jury ruled in Hughes’ favor last week, awarding her $50,000 for alienation of affection and $800,000 for criminal conversation.
Cobb, who built a long career in NASCAR’s truck series and last competed in 2024, was first sued by Hughes two years ago over the alleged relationship.
According to the complaint, reviewed by WOWT, Hughes accused Cobb of “willfully, intentionally, and deliberately” pursuing her husband and undermining the couple’s marriage.
The filing alleged that the relationship continued for several months before Tracey and Clayton Hughes separated in January 2021.
Hughes said the marriage had been happy before Cobb allegedly became involved.
In her lawsuit, Hughes claimed Cobb exchanged calls and text messages with her husband while traveling to races and arranged private meetings for sex.
NASCAR driver Jennifer Jo Cobb, 53, has been ordered to pay $850,000 following a civil lawsuit filed by Tracey Hughes, who alleged Cobb’s involvement with her husband contributed to the end of their marriage in 2020.
A North Carolina jury found in favor of Hughes and ordered Cobb to pay $50,000 for alienation of affection and $800,000 for criminal conversation.
Hughes claimed the alleged affair caused her to lose marital support, harmed her feelings and reputation, and ultimately destroyed her relationship with her husband.
She requested more than $25,000 on each of the alienation of affection and criminal conversation claims, as well as an additional $25,000 in punitive damages.
Alienation of affection is a civil claim that allows a spouse to seek damages by alleging that a third party intentionally interfered with and destroyed the love in a marriage.
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To prevail, the person bringing the case generally must show that the marriage was loving before the alleged interference and that the relationship was lost because of the third party’s actions.
Despite its name, criminal conversation is also a civil tort rather than a criminal offense. It involves allegations that someone had sexual relations with another person’s spouse while the marriage remained intact.
The jury delivered its verdict in Hughes’ favor on September 24 in Davidson County, awarding her $850,000—far more than the amount she had initially sought.
Cobb, a longtime NASCAR truck-series driver who last raced in 2024, faced the lawsuit from Hughes over the alleged affair.
Cobb’s NASCAR career began in 2004 and spanned two decades. Her No. 10 Fastener Supply Company Chevrolet is pictured during a race in April 2021.
Cobb is originally from Kansas City and was married herself during part of her NASCAR career.
In 2015, she married Eddie Troconis, another NASCAR driver who worked as a member of her team. Cobb previously described the ceremony as a “fairy tale wedding.”
It’s unclear whether they separated before or after the alleged affair with Hughes.
Cobb’s two-decade-long NASCAR career began in 2004 and her last race was 2024.
She owned her own team – Jennifer Jo Cobb Racing – alongside being a racing driver herself, specializing in stock car competitions.
Cobb previously starred in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, ARCA Menards Series and NASCAR Whelen Euro Series.
Our News Outlet has contacted Cobb for comment on the civil lawsuit and alleged affair.
