Former driver and NASCAR team owner Shigeaki Hattori passed away in a tragic accident on Saturday morning after his 2025 Toyota Crown collided with another vehicle on the highway.

He was popular for being the owner of NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series team Hattori Racing Enterprises (HRE). The team won the 2018 championship with driver Brett Moffitt. Prior to the team ownership, Hattori raced in the Truck Series in 2004, as well as in IndyCar in 2000.

HRE secured 14 race wins from 2018 to 2021. Hattori's contribution to the sport will be remembered. He represented NASCAR in his home country in Japan, where he built a strong relationship with Toyota and even led the initiative to train mechanics there through a NASCAR training program.

On Monday, the Huntersville (N.C.) Police Department released a statement, confirming the incident that took Hattori's life. The press release stated that police officers responded to a collision involving two vehicles on NC Highway 73 at around 9:15 a.m. ET Saturday. Hattori was traveling westbound when he collided head-on with another car after crossing the center line.

In response to the fatal incident, NASCAR released an official statement. It reads:

"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."