Lexington, North Carolina — Former NASCAR driver Jennifer Jo Cobb has been ordered to pay $850,000 after a Davidson County jury found her liable in a civil lawsuit brought by a woman who alleged that Cobb’s relationship with her husband helped destroy their 17-year marriage.
The case was heard in Davidson County Superior Court in Lexington, where Tracey Hughes sued Cobb under two North Carolina civil claims: alienation of affection and criminal conversation. The jury awarded Hughes $50,000 on the first claim and $800,000 on the second.
The verdict came after a three-day trial, with the jury finding Cobb liable on both claims. The case has drawn attention because North Carolina is among the few states where such lawsuits can still be brought against a third party accused of interfering with a marriage.
Lawsuit Accused Cobb of Pursuing Married Man
Hughes filed the lawsuit in January 2024, alleging that Cobb had an affair with her husband, Clayton Odie Hughes, during the months before the couple separated in 2021.
The couple had been married for 17 years, and Hughes claimed their relationship had previously been a happy marriage before the alleged affair.
In the complaint, Hughes accused Cobb of:
“willfully, intentionally, and deliberately seduced, enticed, and alienated the affections” of Clayton Hughes.
The lawsuit alleged that Cobb would call and text Clayton Hughes while traveling for racing events and arrange what the complaint described as “regular trysts.” Hughes claimed the relationship ultimately contributed to the collapse of her marriage and caused her to suffer emotional and other damages.
She alleged that she:
“suffered the loss of support, injury to [her] feelings and reputation, and had her marital relationship destroyed.”
Clayton Hughes was not named as a defendant in the lawsuit.
Cobb Denied the Allegations
Cobb denied the allegations in court filings and unsuccessfully attempted to have the lawsuit dismissed.
The former racer had argued against the legal claims, but the case proceeded to trial in Davidson County Superior Court. The jury ultimately sided with Hughes on both causes of action.
The verdict included $50,000 for alienation of affection and $800,000 for criminal conversation, bringing the primary damages award to $850,000.
Jurors also found Cobb liable for punitive damages on both claims, awarding $1 on each claim, according to court records described by AutoWeek.
That makes the total verdict $850,002 when the two symbolic punitive awards are included.
What Is North Carolina’s ‘Homewrecker Law’?
The case centers on two unusual civil claims that remain available under North Carolina law. An alienation of affection claim allows a spouse to seek damages from a third party accused of intentionally interfering with the love and affection within a marriage.
The second claim, known as criminal conversation, concerns an alleged sexual relationship between a third party and someone else’s spouse during the marriage.
North Carolina is one of only a small number of states where these types of claims remain available.
The unusual nature of the law has made similar lawsuits relatively uncommon, but the statutes remain part of North Carolina’s civil legal system.
Cobb Had Long NASCAR Career
Cobb, 53, spent more than two decades competing in stock-car racing and became one of the better-known female drivers in NASCAR’s national touring series.
She competed in the NASCAR Truck Series, Xfinity Series and other racing divisions while also operating her own racing team.
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Cobb raced in the NASCAR Truck Series through 2024, making her final national-series appearance that year. Clayton Hughes, meanwhile, worked as a NASCAR spotter and had a professional connection to Cobb through the racing world.
The alleged relationship described in the lawsuit occurred before Hughes and his wife separated in January 2021.
Cobb Could Still Appeal the Verdict
Although the jury has reached its verdict, the legal matter may not be completely finished.
Cobb has the option to pursue post-trial legal action or an appeal, meaning additional proceedings could follow the jury’s decision.
The case also highlights how an unusual North Carolina law can turn an alleged private relationship into a civil lawsuit involving substantial financial damages.
For now, the jury’s decision leaves Cobb facing an $850,002 verdict tied to the two claims brought by Tracey Hughes.
What do you think about North Carolina’s unusual “homewrecker” laws? Do you think a third party should be financially liable when a relationship is alleged to contribute to the end of a marriage? Share your thoughts in the comments.
