Huntersville Police confirmed that Shigeaki Hattori was killed when his vehicle crossed the centerline and into oncoming traffic on North Carolina 73 on Saturday.
HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. β A former NASCAR team owner was killed in a head-on crash in Huntersville on Saturday morning, police said.Β
Multiple crews responded to a crash on North Carolina Highway 73 near the McGuire Nuclear Station around 9:15 a.m. on April 5. When crews arrived, they found a 2025 Toyota Crown and a 2024 Lexus GX550 involved in the crash.Β
Investigators determined the driver of the Toyota, identified as Shigeaki Hattori, crossed the centerline and hit the Lexus, which was driving toward Huntersville. Hattori was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Lexus was taken to a nearby hospital with injuries that aren’t considered life-threatening.Β
“We are heartbroken to confirm that Shigeaki ‘Shige’ Hattori was pronounced deceased on the morning of Saturday, April 5, following a motor vehicle accident,” Hattori Racing Enterprises said in a statement Monday.Β
Speed and impairment are not expected to be factors in the crash. The road was closed for several hours while crews investigated the collision and determined the cause. Hattori was 61.Β
A native of Okayama, Japan, Hattori moved to the U.S. in the 1990s to pursue his dream of becoming an open-wheel racer. He won two INDY NXT races and made two starts in the Indianapolis 500 before moving to stock cars.Β
βShigeaki Hattori was a passionate racer and highly successful team owner, but beyond all his teamβs statistics β which includes a NASCAR Truck Series championship β Shige was a genuine, beloved member of the garage who worked tirelessly to lift our sport and his people,β NASCAR said in a statement. βWe are deeply saddened by his tragic passing. NASCAR extends its thoughts and prayers to his family and many friends.β
Hattori made his NASCAR debut in the Truck Series with Germain Racing in the early 2000s. Once his driving career was finished, Hattori launched Hattori Racing Enterprises, which competed in the Xfinity Series and Truck Series from 2008 through 2023. His team won 14 Truck Series races with drivers Austin Hill and Brett Moffitt. In 2018, HRE won the Truck Series championship with Moffitt.Β
“Shige was known for his relentless drive, focus and competitive spirit,” the team said. “Team ownership through HRE and Hattori Motorsports had become both his passion and his life’s work.”
For the latest breaking news, weather and traffic alerts that impact you from WCNC Charlotte, download the WCNC Charlotte mobile app and enable push notifications.
WCNC Charlotte wants to hear about your loved one
If your loved one was impacted by this incident, WCNC Charlotte hopes to make this process less painful with our More Than A Number initiative. With your help, we want to share who your loved one was with our viewers in North Carolina and South Carolina. When you’re ready, fill out the form below or send us photos, memories and other details about them to desk@wcnc.com.Β
