Former IndyCar driver and NASCAR Truck Series team owner Shigeakekieki Hattori passed away on Saturday after being involved in a traffic accident.
The Huntersville Police Department has issued a statement revealing that Hattori was killed on the spot after the Toyota Crown collided with a Lexus near McGuire Nuclear Bureau Road in North Carolina. He was 61 years old.
Police will continue to investigate the incident, but do not expect excessive speed to play a role in the crash.
News of the death of a Japanese driver was confirmed by his team on Monday.
Born in Okayama, Hatori moved to the United States in 1995 and pursued her ambition to compete in open wheel racing.
He won two races at Indy Light (now Indy NXT) in 1998, moved to Kurt and Indy Car in Indy Regency Race, and recorded the best results in 6th place in Texas in 2002.
During his career, he started twice with the legendary Indianapolis 500 and achieved a top 20 finish at Bradley Motorsports.
After 12 appearances in the NASCAR Track Series in 2005, he moved into the team owner role by launching the eponymous Hatri Racing Enterprise.
HRE also competed actively in the Xfinity series, but it was the track series, which really established itself as a front-running team, with Brett Moffitt winning the 2018 title with the team’s #16 Toyota.
In 2023, Hatori Race reduced its commitment to being a part-time part-time participant from its commitment to being a track series.
“We are heartbroken to confirm that we were declared affirmed that we had died following a car accident in Huntersville, North Carolina on Saturday morning, April 5. He was 61,” his team said in a statement.
“Shige, from Okayama, Japan, moved to the US in the 1990s and pursued his dream of becoming an open-wheel race car driver. He won two Indy NXTs in Firestone Race and made two starts with the Indianapolis 500.
“His passion for motorsport ultimately led him to NASCAR, competing in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS) in 2004 and 2005. He moved to team ownership, founding Hattori Racing Enterprises (HRE), and as team owner, he reached the ultimate achievement level, winning 14 NCT races and winning the 2018 Series Championship.
“Shige was known for his ruthless drive, focus and competitive spirit. The ownership of the team by HRE and Hatri Motorsports became both his passion and his work in life.
“He had a unique gift that constantly infuses light-hearted attitude and a unique sense of humor into a race team that will never be forgotten.
“We miss you. Goodbye, Shige.”
Complete police statement:
On Saturday, April 5, 2025, at about 9:15am, Huntersville police officers responded to a two-vehicle collision on NC Highway 73 near the McGuire Nuclear Bureau road.
Preliminary research shows that the 2025 Toyota Crown, run by Mooresville’s wanderer (originally from Japan), had moved west on NC Highway 73 when it crossed into a lane approaching the centerline and collided with the 2024 Lexus GX550.
Hatri was declared to have died at the scene. The Lexus driver was taken to Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center for a life-threatening injury.
At this time, investigators do not believe that speed or impairment contributes to the crash. The incident is under investigation by the road safety section of the Huntersville Police Station.
Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact Sergeant Brian Gant with the road safety team at 704-464-5371.