Shigeaki Hattori, the Okayama, Japan native who parlayed Formula Toyota successes into a glittering career as a Truck Series, IndyCar, CART and ARCA driver and team owner, died in a car crash on Saturday morning. He was 61 years old.
The Huntersville Police Department confirmed Hattori’s death on Monday morning, revealing the former Truck Series championship-winning owner was involved in a head-on collision on North Carolina Highway 73.
A two-time Indy Lights race winner who competed in 10 Truck Series races in 2005, Hattori was a pivotal figure in the lower rungs of NASCAR. His race team employed a host of prominent figures over the years, including Cup Series standout Alex Bowman, two-time Xfinity Series regular season champion Austin Hill and former Truck Series champions Johnny Sauter and Brett Moffitt.
Here’s what you need to know.
What happened to Shigeaki Hattori?
Hattori died while driving on North Carolina Highway 73 on Saturday morning. At approximately 9:15 a.m., Hattori — driving a 2025 Toyota Crown — veered across the centerline into oncoming traffic.
Hattori’s car collided head-on with a 2024 Lexus GX550. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Lexus was transported to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
According to the Huntersville Police Department, speed and impairment is not believed to have played a role in the wreck.
Hattori Racing Enterprises, the team Hattori founded in 2008, issued a statement regarding its owner’s death on Sunday morning.
Statement from Hattori Racing Enterprises on team owner Shige Hattori, who died in a motor vehicle accident Saturday: https://t.co/iXulcksNtd pic.twitter.com/SyUqq9wAoo
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) April 7, 2025
“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,” the statement read.
“We’ll miss you dearly. Farewell, Shige.”
Racing community pays tributes to Shigeaki Hattori
A number of motorsports luminaries shared their memories of Hattori on social media, including Xfinity Series star Sammy Smith and Toyota Racing Development Team president Tyler Gibbs.
We are saddened to learn of the passing of Shigeaki Hattori.
The Japanese-born racer was a two-time INDY NXT by Firestone race winner in 1998 and competed in 33 INDYCAR SERIES events over multiple seasons, including starts in the Indianapolis 500 in 2002 and 2003. He was 61. pic.twitter.com/kWFPWQN9rF
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) April 7, 2025
The NASCAR family mourns the loss of Shigeaki “Shige” Hattori.
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) April 7, 2025
We are deeply saddened by the loss of Shigeaki “Shige” Hattori. Carl had just talked to Shige a couple weeks ago about some leftover equipment. His passion and competitive spirit will never be forgotten. Rest in peace, Shige. pic.twitter.com/Tf7LNVVku3
— Garage 66 & MBM Motorsports (@MBMMotorsports) April 7, 2025
So sorry to hear of the passing of Shige Hattori. #RIPRacer pic.twitter.com/wS5vMVhCtN
— Dave Moody (@DGodfatherMoody) April 7, 2025
Heartbroken to hear about the passing of Shige Hattori. Grateful for the opportunity to drive for him in ARCA back in 2023. Thinking of his family and everyone at HRE. pic.twitter.com/lF0SleVCSm
— Sammy Smith (@sammysmithSS) April 7, 2025
Our deepest condolences to the Hattori family & everyone at Hattori Racing.
— Xfinity Racing (@XfinityRacing) April 7, 2025
The IMSA family is saddened to learn of the passing of Shigeaki Hattori. Our paddock knew him as a race-winning team owner in IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, but he also had an extraordinary career as a driver and team owner across several different racing disciplines. We join our… pic.twitter.com/ra0AAZelST
— IMSA (@IMSA) April 7, 2025
Statement on Shige Hattori from Tyler Gibbs, president, TRD, U.S.A.
“Everyone at Toyota and TRD, U.S.A. is saddened to learn of Shige Hattori’s tragic passing. Toyota’s history with Shige spans decades. Through his long run as a driver to his history-making championship success…
— Joseph Srigley (@joe_srigley) April 7, 2025
This story will be updated.
