NASCAR Team Owner Shigeaki Hattori Dies in Tragic Car Crash

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. — Shigeaki “Shige” Hattori, a celebrated former race car driver and influential NASCAR team owner, died on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in a three-car accident on I-77. The collision occurred at approximately 9:15 a.m. as Hattori, 61, was driving a 2025 Toyota Crown northbound near Huntersville, roughly 30 minutes north of Charlotte.

According to the Huntersville Police Department, Hattori’s vehicle crossed the center line and collided with oncoming traffic. Fortunately, other individuals involved in the incident sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Authorities do not believe that speeding or impairment were factors in the crash, which remains under investigation.

Born in Okayama, Japan, Hattori moved to the United States in 1995 to pursue a career in open-wheel racing. He quickly made a name for himself, competing in the Indy Lights series, where he achieved two victories in 1998 at Homestead-Miami Speedway and Gateway. His foray into the CART and IndyCar series saw him participate in more than 26 races and make two attempts at the Indianapolis 500, finishing as high as 20th in 2002.

Transitioning to stock car racing in the mid-2000s, Hattori initially struggled in the NASCAR Truck Series, crashing in six of ten races he entered. However, he found his true calling when he founded Hattori Racing Enterprises in 2008. The team entered both the NASCAR Xfinity Series and Truck Series and would ultimately redefine his legacy in motorsports.

Hattori Racing Enterprises began competing full-time in the NASCAR Truck Series in 2013 and soon made a significant impact. Under Hattori’s leadership, the team achieved 14 victories, with Brett Moffitt and Austin Hill as standout drivers. Their pinnacle moment came in 2018 when Moffitt steered Hattori Racing to victory in the NASCAR Truck Series Championship, an achievement that underscored Hattori’s deep commitment to racing.

The team announced Hattori’s passing in a heartfelt statement: “We are heartbroken to confirm that Shigeaki ‘Shige’ Hattori was pronounced deceased…following a motor vehicle accident. Shige was known for his relentless drive, focus, and competitive spirit… He had a unique gift to inject a light-hearted attitude and one-of-a-kind sense of humor into his race teams.”

NASCAR also released a tribute honoring Hattori, highlighting his passion for racing and his role as a beloved figure in the sport’s community. “Shige was a genuine, beloved member of the garage who worked tirelessly to lift our sport and his people,” the statement affirmed.

Throughout his career, Hattori demonstrated not only athletic prowess but a deep-seated dedication to fostering talent in motorsports. His legacy will be remembered not just through statistics but through the lives he touched within the racing community.

Tributes continue to pour in from friends, colleagues, and fans honoring his memory and contributions to the sport, as he stands as an emblem of the American dream pursued through car racing.