Latest news with #Shige
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
NASCAR racing team owner dies in North Carolina crash
The owner of a NASCAR racing team died in a crash over the weekend in Huntersville, North Carolina, according to our sister station WSOC in Charlotte. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Shigeaki Hattori, of Mooresville, was driving a 2025 Toyota Crown at about 9:15 a.m. Saturday when he was involved in the two-vehicle wreck on N.C. Highway 73 near McGuire Nuclear Station Road. Advertisement Hattori founded Hattori Racing Enterprises in 2008 and has fielded entries, including the NASCAR Xfinity Series, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, and the ARCA Menards Series, according to its website. On Saturday, Hattori crossed the center line on Highway 73 and crashed into an oncoming 2024 Lexus GX550. Hattori died at the scene. The driver of the Lexus was taken to Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. TRENDING STORIES: '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,' HRE said in a Monday statement obtained by WSOC. '… 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.' Advertisement Hattori, who was originally from Japan, won the Japan Formula Toyota championship in 1994 and moved to the U.S. after that to race open-wheel cars. Hattori began his career in youth go-karts before shifting to Formula 2 and 3 racing in Japan, NASCAR officials said. He won a pair of Indy Lights races in 1998 and made two starts in the Indianapolis 500. The organization made the transition to stock cars in 2005, WSOC reported. '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,' NASCAR said in a statement. 'We are deeply saddened by his tragic passing. NASCAR extends its thoughts and prayers to his family and many friends.' Advertisement Hattori scored 14 wins as a Truck Series team owner from 2018 to 2021. 'Hattori's organization reached its pinnacle achievement in 2018 when Brett Moffitt and the No. 16 team captured the Craftsman Trucks championship in the team's second full-time season,' according to its website. Investigators do not believe speed or impairment were factors in the crash. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
2018 NASCAR championship Truck owner dies in motor vehicle accident
Shigeaki 'Shige' Hattori, whose team won the 2018 NASCAR Craftsman Truck championship, died Saturday following a motor vehicle accident in North Carolina. He was 61. NASCAR stated Monday morning: '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.' Advertisement The Huntersville (North Carolina) Police Department state that its preliminary investigation indicates that Hattori's vehicle crossed the centerline into oncoming traffic and collided with a vehicle. Hattori was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the other vehicle was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The police state that at this time investigators do not believe speed or impairment were contributing factors to the crash on NC Highway 73 about 20 miles north of downtown Charlotte. Hattori founded Hattori Racing Enterprises in 2008 following his driving career that saw him compete in 33 IndyCar races, including the 2002 and '03 Indianapolis 500, and 10 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races in 2005. Hattori's team competed in the Truck Series in 2013 and 2015-24. His team competed in Xfinity races in 2014-15 and 2019-21. Advertisement His Truck team won 14 races in 212 starts. Brett Moffitt won six races with Hattori in 2108 and claimed the series title that season. Austin Hill took over the ride the following season and won eight races from 2019-21, finishing as high as fifth in the points with the team in 2019. Hattori's team went winless in 72 Xfinity starts. Hill gave the team its best Xfinity result when he placed fifth at Kansas in October 2020. Hattori Racing Enterprises issued a statement Monday morning. 'Shige was known for his relentless drive, focus and competitive spirit. Team ownership through (Hattori Racing Enterprises) 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 missy dearly. Farewell, Shige.'
NBC Sports
07-04-2025
- Automotive
- NBC Sports
2018 NASCAR championship Truck owner dies in motor vehicle accident
Shigeaki 'Shige' Hattori, whose team won the 2018 NASCAR Craftsman Truck championship, died Saturday following a motor vehicle accident in North Carolina. He was 61. NASCAR stated Monday morning: '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.' The Huntersville (North Carolina) Police Department state that its preliminary investigation indicates that Hattori's vehicle crossed the centerline into oncoming traffic and collided with a vehicle. Hattori was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the other vehicle was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The police state that at this time investigators do not believe speed or impairment were contributing factors to the crash on NC Highway 73 about 20 miles north of downtown Charlotte. Hattori founded Hattori Racing Enterprises in 2008 following his driving career that saw him compete in 33 IndyCar races, including the 2002 and '03 Indianapolis 500, and 10 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races in 2005. Hattori's team competed in the Truck Series in 2013 and 2015-24. His team competed in Xfinity races in 2014-15 and 2019-21. His Truck team won 14 races in 212 starts. Brett Moffitt won six races with Hattori in 2108 and claimed the series title that season. Austin Hill took over the ride the following season and won eight races from 2019-21, finishing as high as fifth in the points with the team in 2019. Hattori's team went winless in 72 Xfinity starts. Hill gave the team its best Xfinity result when he placed fifth at Kansas in October 2020. Hattori Racing Enterprises issued a statement Monday morning. 'Shige was known for his relentless drive, focus and competitive spirit. Team ownership through (Hattori Racing Enterprises) 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 missy dearly. Farewell, Shige.'
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
NASCAR team owner and champion killed in Huntersville crash: Police
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. Advertisement 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 Huntersville The 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. Advertisement '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.' Investigators don't believe speed or impairment were factors in the crash, and the incident remains under investigation. Advertisement Anyone with information is asked to contact Sergeant Bryan Gantt at 704-464-5371. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
