Shigeaki Hattori, a championship-winning NASCAR team owner, died Saturday in a traffic accident.
The Huntersville Police Department announced the news with a Monday press release and said that the incident occurred on NC Highway 73.
"On Saturday, April 5, 2025, at approximately 9:15 a.m., Huntersville Police officers responded to a two-vehicle collision on NC Highway 73 near McGuire Nuclear Station Road," said the Huntersville Police Department in a release shared on social media.
"Preliminary investigation indicates that a 2025 Toyota Crown, operated by Shigeaki Hattori of Mooresville (originally from Japan), was traveling westbound on NC Hwy 73 when it crossed the centerline into the oncoming lane and collided with a 2024 Lexus GX550.
"Mr. Hattori was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the Lexus was transported to Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.
"At this time, investigators do not believe speed or impairment were contributing factors in the crash. The incident remains under investigation by the Huntersville Police Department's Traffic Safety Section."
Originally from Okayama, Japan, Hattori owned Hattori Racing Enterprises, a team that competed in ARCA, the Craftsman Truck Series, and the Xfinity Series. This Toyota-affiliated team fielded entries for numerous drivers over the years, including Alex Bowman, Bubba Wallace, Austin Hill, Ross Chastain, Ryan Truex, Timmy Hill, and Brett Moffitt.
While Hattori Racing Enterprises only competed part-time in Xfinity and ARCA, the team was a full-time competitor in the Truck Series from 2017 to '23. This is the series in which it achieved the most success.
Hattori celebrated 14 Truck wins as a team owner -- six with Moffitt and eight with Hill. Moffitt also captured the 2018 Truck Series championship while driving the No. 16 Toyota Tundra.
"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 a statement.
"We are deeply saddened by his tragic passing. NASCAR extends its thoughts and prayers to his family and many friends."
Prior to moving into an ownership role, Hattori competed in a variety of racing series. He first took on open-wheel competition while racing full-time in the Indy Lights Series, and he celebrated two wins during the 1998 season. He then made more than two dozen starts in the NTT IndyCar Series.
Hattori also took on the Craftsman Truck Series while competing part-time in 2005. He made 10 starts while driving the No. 9 Toyota.
"Shige was known for his relentless drive, focus, and competitive spirit," Hattori Racing Enterprises said in a statement. "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 a one-of-a-kind sense of humor into his race teams that will never be forgotten."