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A North Carolina court has ruled against Richard Childress Racing in its attempt to block former RCR engineer Matthew McCall from going to work as Jamie McMurray's crew chief on the No. 1 Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates Chevrolet in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

According to a report at Courthousenews.com, RCR sought to block McCall's move, citing a 12-month non-compete clause in his contract should he resign.

The website wrote, "RCR sued McCall in Davidson County, N.C., in November for breach of contract and misappropriation of trade secrets. It moved on Dec. 3 for a temporary restraining order to keep McCall from working for Ganassi or another competitor."

But the request for a restraining order was denied.

"Plaintiff has not shown, at this time, a likelihood of success on its claim that by accepting a crew chief position with Ganassi, Defendant has become employed in a 'capacity identical or similar to that in which he participated while employed by (plaintiff) and therefore has breached the employment contract,'" Judge Louis Bledsoe III ruled, adding that there was no evidence of misappropriation of trade secrets.

McCall, 33, is a native of Denver, N.C. In addition to his garage work, he was driven in five races in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and two more in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. He is also a third-degree black belt in karate.

In 2014, McCall was the race engineer on the No. 31 RCR Chevrolet, which Ryan Newman drove to a runner-up finish in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship.

"Matt brings a lot to the table that we are thrilled to have," team owner Chip Ganassi said on Nov. 18 when the team announced McCall's hiring. "He has been a successful race engineer for the No. 31 team and has the added experience of being a driver, which we feel will add to his success in leading the No. 1 team. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that will mesh very well with Jamie and the whole team. We couldn't be happier."

"This organization is one that everyone in the garage has taken notice of in 2014, and I am just looking forward to the opportunity to make them even better," McCall said. "We have a group of very talented people building and driving the race cars here and I can't wait to get started."