SAD NEWS: NASCAR team owner Shigeaki Hattori killed in traffic accident
Shigeaki Hattori, a respected NASCAR team owner and former driver, tragically lost his life on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in a car crash in North Carolina. The accident occurred around 9:15 a.m. on NC Highway 73, near McGuire Nuclear Station Road, according to a statement released Monday by the Huntersville Police Department.
Authorities reported that Hattori, a Mooresville resident originally from Okayama, Japan, was driving a 2025 Toyota Crown westbound when his vehicle veered across the centerline, striking a 2024 Lexus GX550 traveling in the opposite direction. Hattori was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Lexus survived with non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center for treatment.
Investigators stated that neither speed nor impairment appeared to be factors in the crash, which remains under investigation by the department’s Traffic Safety Section.
Hattori was the founder of Hattori Racing Enterprises, a Toyota-backed team that competed in NASCAR’s Truck Series, Xfinity Series, and ARCA Menards Series. Over the years, he provided opportunities to numerous notable drivers, including Brett Moffitt, Austin Hill, Bubba Wallace, Alex Bowman, Ross Chastain, Ryan Truex, Timmy Hill, and others.
Under his leadership, the team became a consistent force in the Truck Series, racing full-time from 2017 to 2023 and securing 14 victories—six with Moffitt and eight with Hill. Moffitt also brought the team its biggest achievement: the 2018 NASCAR Truck Series championship.
Before becoming a team owner, Hattori had an active driving career, especially in open-wheel racing. He competed full-time in the Indy Lights Series, winning twice in 1998, and later made over 20 starts in the IndyCar Series. In 2005, he shifted to stock car racing, running part-time in the Truck Series with 10 starts in the No. 9 Toyota.
NASCAR released a statement mourning the loss: “Shigeaki Hattori was not only a championship-winning owner, but also a beloved figure in the garage. His dedication to his team and the sport was unwavering. We are heartbroken by his passing and extend our deepest sympathies to his loved ones.”
Hattori Racing Enterprises also honored their founder, stating, “Shige’s determination, vision, and joyful spirit defined our team. He brought a unique energy and humor to racing that we will carry forward in his memory.”
Hattori’s legacy in motorsports extends beyond his accolades—he leaves behind a lasting impact on the racing community through his passion, leadership, and commitment to developing talent.
