Shigeaki Hattori: NASCAR releases statement on team owner’s death

Over the weekend, Craftsman Truck Series team owner Shigeaki Hattori died in a two-vehicle collision in Huntersville, N.C. Today, the NASCAR world is mourning his death and remembering him for all of his accomplishments and all of the relationships and connections he made in the sport.

During his time as a team owner, Shigeaki Hattori competed in ARCA, the Xfinity Series, and most famously, the Truck Series. His Hattori Racing Enterprises organization gave so many drivers an opportunity when they needed it most.

In the wake of his death, NASCAR released a statement. Shige will be dearly missed by the racing community.

“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,” NASCAR said in the statement. “We are deeply saddened by his tragic passing. NASCAR extends its thoughts and prayers to his family and many friends.”

Drivers such as Brett Moffitt, Ryan Truex, Austin Hill, and Tyler Ankrum got their starts or spent considerable time at Hattori earlier in their careers. In 2018, Moffitt and Hattori won the Truck Series championship in a fantastic season that included six wins, including the final two races of the season.

There are so many memories off and on the track. Shigeaki Hattori will be remembered by those in the garage and those at home.

Team owner and former driver Shigeaki Hattori dead at 61

The Huntersville Police Department confirmed this morning that Shigeaki Hattori was involved in a two-vehicle collision on the evening of April 5. Hattori was pronounced dead at the scene. Police do not believe speed or impairment were contributing factors at this time.

The report states that Hattori’s 2025 Toyota Crown crossed the centerline on NC Hwy 73 and hit a 2024 Lexus GX550. The driver of the Lexus went to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Born in Okayama, Okayama, Japan, Shigeaki Hattori came to the United States in 1995. He won the Formula Toyota championship in 1994. He then made the trip to the Indy Lights series when he was 32 years old.

During his time as a driver, Hattori won two races in Indy Lights. By 1999, he was racing in CART. With stops in IndyCar and NASCAR along the way, Hattori never gave up on his dream of racing.

During the Cup Series race on Sunday, news started to leak out. There were former crew members posting their memories of Shige Hattori online last night. Sadly, the news was confirmed this morning.