Shigeaki Hattori, a former IndyCar competitor and championship-winning NASCAR team owner, tragically lost his life in a car accident on Saturday morning in Huntersville, North Carolina. He was 61 years old.
The crash occurred around 9:15 a.m. on NC Highway 73, according to a report published on [NASCAR.com] Authorities confirmed that Hattori’s 2025 Toyota Crown veered across the centerline before colliding with another vehicle. Investigators at the scene stated that neither excessive speed nor impairment appeared to be factors in the incident.
Hattori’s Racing Journey: From Japan to the Indianapolis 500
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Hattori left his stamp on the motorsports world. From 1999 to 2003, he raced in both CART and IndyCar Series with 34 starts; while not winning at the top levels, he nevertheless found considerable success in Indy Lights, winning Homestead and Gateway races in 1998.
Among other career highlights were his accomplishments of having been qualified for the Indianapolis 500 in two consecutive years, 2002 and 2003, which placed him amongst famed names to participate in the iconic race.
He made the jump into stock car racing in 2004, competing in 10 races as a driver in the NASCAR Truck Series before moving into team management.
Building a Legacy Off the Track: Hattori Racing Enterprises
Hattori graduated to ownership after his driving days, forming Hattori Racing Enterprises (HRE). His team went on to compete in both the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and Xfinity Series and had tremendous success.
Under his watch, HRE went on to win 14 Truck Series races in 2018-2021, most notably winning the 2018 Truck Series Championship with driver Brett Moffitt—a crowning achievement that cemented Hattori's standing as a respected name in the garage.
Sad news: Truck Series team owner and former INDYCAR driver Shige Hattori died in a motor vehicle crash Saturday in Huntersville. He was 61 years old. Hattori won a truck title as an owner for Brett Moffitt in 2018. … I always enjoyed my talks with Shige. He will be missed. pic.twitter.com/IDVLYQOTfM
Remembered as a Tireless Competitor and Inspirational Leader
Following the announcement of his death, tributes poured in from across the motorsport world. Toyota Racing Development (TRD), with whom Hattori had a decades-long relationship, expressed their grief in a heartfelt statement.
“Everyone at Toyota and TRD, U.S.A. is saddened to learn of Shige Hattori’s tragic passing,” said Tyler Gibbs, President of TRD.
“Toyota’s history with Shige spans decades. Through his long run as a driver to his history-making championship success as an owner, Shige’s motivation and work ethic to achieve at the highest level never wavered. His endearing personality was infectious and unforgettable. We are thinking of his family and friends as they process this terrible loss.”
NASCAR also issued a formal statement, acknowledging both his on-track accomplishments and the mark he left on the sport’s culture:
“Shigeaki Hattori was a passionate racer and highly successful team owner, but beyond all his team’s statistics—which includes a NASCAR Truck Series championship—Shige was a genuine, beloved member of the garage who worked tirelessly to lift our sport and his people,” the organization said.
“We are deeply saddened by his tragic passing. NASCAR extends its thoughts and prayers to his family and many friends.”