Shigeaki Hattori dies in fatal Huntersville crash

Shigeaki Hattori dies in fatal Huntersville crash

Fatal Huntersville crash death of Shigeaki Hattori – Obituary

Shigeaki “Shige” Hattori, a well-known NASCAR team owner and former driver, tragically died in a car crash Saturday morning in Huntersville, North Carolina. He was 61 years old.

According to the Huntersville Police Department, the collision occurred around 9:15 a.m. as Hattori was driving a 2025 Toyota Crown westbound on NC Highway 73. Authorities say he crossed the centerline and collided with an oncoming 2024 Lexus GX550.

Emergency responders pronounced Hattori dead at the scene. The other driver, whose identity has not been released, was hospitalized with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.

Hattori, originally from Okayama, Japan, moved to the U.S. in the 1990s to chase his dream of professional racing. He competed in INDY NXT by Firestone, winning two races, and made appearances in the Indianapolis 500. He later shifted into NASCAR, racing in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series in 2004 and 2005 before founding Hattori Racing Enterprises (HRE) in 2008.

As a team owner, Hattori saw considerable success, guiding his team to 14 NASCAR Truck Series wins and capturing the 2018 series championship. His work in the sport earned him deep respect throughout the NASCAR community.

NASCAR paid tribute to Hattori, noting his dedication to the sport and the people around him, stating that his contributions and character left a lasting impact. Officials do not suspect speed or impairment played a role in the crash, though the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with details regarding the incident is encouraged to reach out to Sergeant Bryan Gantt at 704-464-5371.