NASCAR Team Owner, Former IndyCar Driver Shigeaki Hattori Killed In Car Accident 

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship winning team owner Shigeaki Hattori was killed in a car accident Saturday in Huntersville, N.C. 

Hattori was 61 years old. 

Hattori, a native of Okayama, Japan, was one of eight Japanese-born drivers to compete in the Indianapolis 500. 

Hattori raced in the Indianapolis 500 twice, finishing 20th in 2002 and 30th in 2003. He made 34 career IndyCar Series starts from 1999-2003. 

Hattori made 10 Craftsman Truck Series starts between 2004 and 2005 before walking away from racing. He eventually returned to the sport in 2008, deciding to focus on team ownership with Hattori Racing Enterprises. 

The team fielded cars in the ARCA Menards Series and Xfinity Series, but had their greatest successes in the Craftsman Truck Series.  

Brett Moffitt won the 2018 Craftsman Truck Series title driving for the team. The team scored 14 victories in Craftsman Truck Series action with Moffitt and Austin Hill from 2018 to 2021. The team ran part-time in the Craftsman Truck Series in 2024 and had not made any starts this season. 

“We are heartbroken to confirm that Shigeaki ‘Shige’ Hattori was pronounced deceased on the morning of Saturday, April 5, in Huntersville, N.C., following a motor vehicle accident,” read a statement from Hattori Racing Enterprises. “Shige was known for his relentless drive, focus and competitive spirit. Team ownership through HRE and Hattori Motorsports had become both his passion and his life’s work. He had a unique gift to constantly inject a light-hearted attitude and one-of-a-kind sense of humor into his race teams that will never be forgotten. We’ll miss you dearly. Farewell, Shige.”

A statement from NASCAR read: “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. We are deeply saddened by his tragic passing. NASCAR extends its thoughts and prayers to his family and many friends.”

The Huntersville Police Department confirmed Hattori’s death in a press release on Monday, According to a story on NASCAR.com, officers responded to a two-vehicle collision on NC Highway 73 at approximately 9:15 a.m. Saturday. According to the Huntersville Police, Hattori was pronounced deceased on the scene and they do not believe speed or impairment were contributing factors in the crash.