The motorsports world is in mourning following the tragic passing of Shigeaki “Shige” Hattori, who died Saturday morning in a motor vehicle accident in Huntersville, North Carolina. He was 61 years old.
A native of Okayama, Japan, Hattori’s journey to the heart of American motorsports was driven by ambition, courage, and an undying love for racing. He moved to the United States in the 1990s to chase his dream of becoming a professional open-wheel driver, a pursuit that earned him victories in INDY NXT (formerly Indy Lights) and two starts in the prestigious Indianapolis 500.
Though his path in open-wheel racing was impressive, it was in NASCAR where Shige Hattori would leave an indelible legacy—not only as a competitor but as a championship-winning team owner. He competed in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series in 2004 and 2005, before shifting gears in 2008 to launch Hattori Racing Enterprises (HRE).
Under his leadership, HRE became a respected force in the Truck Series garage. Hattori’s relentless determination and leadership bore fruit in 2018 when HRE captured the NASCAR Truck Series championship with driver Brett Moffitt—a crowning achievement that reflected Shige’s grit and vision.
Over the years, HRE secured 14 Truck Series victories and provided opportunities for drivers across multiple disciplines, including NASCAR, ARCA, and grassroots racing. Beyond statistics, Shige was admired for his tireless work ethic, positive spirit, and signature sense of humor that brought energy to every team he led.
“Shige was more than a team owner—he was a mentor, a motivator, and a friend,” said one longtime crew member. “He never gave up on his dream, and he inspired all of us to chase ours.”
His passing has sent shockwaves through the NASCAR and broader motorsports community, with drivers, teams, and fans paying tribute to a man whose story embodied perseverance and passion.
Shigeaki Hattori leaves behind a racing legacy that spans continents and disciplines. More importantly, he leaves behind a legion of colleagues, friends, and fans who will remember his laughter, leadership, and love for the sport.
He will be dearly missed. Rest in peace, Shige.
