Shigeaki Hattori, a former race car driver and team owner of Hattori Racing Enterprises, has passed away at the age of 61.

CONCORD, N.C. — “He is the reason why I’m sitting here today,” Austin Hill shared about Shigeaki Hattori during his media availability on Wednesday at NASCAR’s Production Facility.

Huntersville Police confirmed that Shigeaki Hattori was killed when his vehicle crossed the centerline and into oncoming traffic on North Carolina 73 on Saturday.