HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) -- "We'll miss you dearly," Hattori Racing posted on X after the passing of its owner, 61-year-old Shigeaki "Shige" Hattori, who was identified as the victim in a deadly crash on Sunday.
According to the Huntersville Police Department, Hattori, of Mooresville, was driving a 2025 Toyota Crown west on NC Hwy 73 around 9:15 a.m. He reportedly crossed the centerline and hit a 2024 Lexus GX550.
Hattori was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Lexus was taken to a local medical center with non-life-threatening injuries.
PREVIOUS: One person killed, another seriously hurt after crash in HuntersvilleThe owner of Hattori Racing Enterprises, Hattori moved to the United States in the 1990s from Okayama, Japan, 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 Indiapolis 500.
"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," the team said.
Hattori competed in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series in 2004 and 2005, after which he transitioned to owning and founding Hattori Racing Enterprises in 2008. He won 14 NCTS races as a team owner and reached the "ultimate achievement" by winning the 2018 series championship.
In a statement to Queen City News, NASCAR said, “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.”
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— Hattori Racing (@Hattori_Racing) April 7, 2025Investigators don't believe speed or impairment were factors in the crash, and the incident remains under investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Sergeant Bryan Gantt at 704-464-5371.
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