Update (5-12-2025): Shigeaki Hattori, 61, passed away April 5, 2025. He was born on November 3, 1963, to Hideyasu Hattori and Momoe Hattori. His family includes his sister Hideko Hattori, his partner Ikuko Hattori and his daughters Kanae and Sena Hattori.
A native of Okayama, Japan, Shige moved to the United States in the 1990s to pursue his dream of becoming an open-wheel race car driver. His career took off when he won two INDY NXT by Firestone races in 1998. He made his first IndyCar start in 2000 and raced at the highest level of American open wheel racing 26 times through 2003, including two starts in the Indianapolis 500.
His passion for motorsports ultimately led him to NASCAR, where he competed as a driver in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) in 2004 and 2005. He transitioned to team ownership in 2008 and founded Hattori Racing Enterprises (HRE). The organization began competing in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series and found success winning races before entering the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series in 2015. With Shige’s guidance, the HRE team broke through for the first win at Atlanta Motor Speedway in February of 2018. He won 14 NCTS races as a team owner and reached the ultimate achievement by winning the 2018 series championship. Shige’s business development allowed HRE to expand into the NASCAR Xfinity Series from 2019-2021 and he launched a sports car venture, Hattori Motorsports in 2022.
Shige was known for his relentless drive, focus and competitive spirit. Team ownership through HRE had become both his passion and his life’s work. His efforts as an owner impacted numerous drivers and crew members throughout the NASCAR industry.
A service to celebrate his life will be held on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at 6:00 PM at the Heritage House at Cavin-Cook Funeral Home, Mooresville. The family will receive friends following the celebration until 9:00 PM.
Cavin-Cook Funeral Home, Mooresville, is serving the family of Mr. Hattori. Condolences may be made to the family at www.cavin-cook.com.
Original Post: 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. He was 61.
A native of Okayama, Japan, Shige moved to the United States in the 1990s to pursue his dream of becoming an open-wheel race car driver. He won two INDY NXT by Firestone races and made two starts in the Indianapolis 500.
His passion for motorsports ultimately led him to NASCAR, where he competed in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) in 2004 and 2005. He transitioned to team ownership in 2008 and founded Hattori Racing Enterprises (HRE). He won 14 NCTS races as a team owner and reached the ultimate achievement by winning the 2018 series championship.
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.
— Hattori Racing Enterprises —
Statements regarding Hattori’s passing:
“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.”
— NASCAR —
“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 as an owner, Shige’s motivation and work ethic to achieve at the highest level never wavered. His endearing personality was infectious and unforgettable. We are thinking of his family and friends as they process this terrible loss.”
— Toyota —
— Hattori Racing (@Hattori_Racing) April 7, 2025
Sad news: Truck Series team owner and former INDYCAR driver Shige Hattori died in a motor vehicle crash Saturday in Huntersville. He was 61 years old. Hattori won a truck title as an owner for Brett Moffitt in 2018. … I always enjoyed my talks with Shige. He will be missed. pic.twitter.com/IDVLYQOTfM
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) April 7, 2025