Hattori Racing Enterprises Explained
| Team Name: | Hattori Racing Enterprises |
| Owner Names: | Shigeaki Hattori |
| Base: | Mooresville, North Carolina |
| Series: | NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
ARCA Menards Series
ARCA Menards Series West |
| Numbers: | 01, 1, 6, 9, 11, 14, 16, 17, 18, 61, 77, 80, 81 |
| Drivers: | Truck Series:
16. Aric Almirola, Johnny Sauter (part-time)
ARCA Menards Series:
61. Sean Hingorani (part-time)
ARCA Menards Series West:
61. Sean Hingorani (part-time) |
| Sponsors: | Truck Series:
16. Toyota Tsusho, Aisin Group
ARCA Menards Series:
61. Fidelity Capital
ARCA Menards Series West:
61. Fidelity Capital |
| Manufacturer: | Toyota |
| Opened: | 2008 |
| Debut: | Xfinity Series:
2014 DRIVE4COPD 300 (Daytona)
Truck Series:
2013 Michigan National Guard 200 (Michigan)
ARCA Menards Series:
2008 Drive Smart! Buckle-Up Kentucky 150 (Kentucky)
ARCA Menards Series East:
2010 South Boston 150 (South Boston)
ARCA Menards Series West:
2023 General Tire 200 (Sonoma) |
| Final: | Xfinity Series:
2021 Andy's Frozen Custard 335 (Texas)
Truck Series:
2024 TSport 200 (IRP)
ARCA Menards Series:
2024 General Tire 150 (Phoenix)
ARCA Menards Series East:
2020 Bush's Beans 200 (Bristol)
ARCA Menards Series West:
2024 General Tire 150 (Phoenix) |
| Races: | Total: 316
Xfinity Series: 25
Truck Series: 179
ARCA Menards Series: 22
ARCA Menards Series East: 88
ARCA Menards Series West: 2 |
| Drivers Champ: | Total: 1
Xfinity Series: 0
Truck Series: 1
2018
ARCA Menards Series: 0
ARCA Menards Series East: 0
ARCA Menards Series West: 0 |
| Wins: | Total: 20
Xfinity Series: 0
Truck Series: 14
ARCA Menards Series: 1
ARCA Menards Series East: 5
ARCA Menards Series West: 0 |
| Poles: | Total: 16
Xfinity Series: 0
Truck Series: 6
ARCA Menards Series: 1
ARCA Menards Series East: 9
ARCA Menards Series West: 0 |
Hattori Racing Enterprises (HRE) is a Japanese-American professional stock car racing team that currently competes in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Owned by former NASCAR and open-wheel driver Shigeaki Hattori, the team competes part-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with the No. 16 Toyota Tundra driven by Aric Almirola and Johnny Sauter, and part-time in the ARCA Menards Series and ARCA Menards Series West with Sean Hingorani driving the No. 61 Toyota Camry. The team previously competed in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and ARCA Menards Series East.
History
Xfinity Series
Car No. 61 history
On May 30, 2019, it was reported that HRE would field the No. 61 Toyota at the July Daytona race, marking the team's first Xfinity race since 2015.[1] On June 16, 2019, it was announced that the car would driven by Austin Hill, who was to make his Xfinity Series debut;[2] however, a drive line failure prevented Hill from setting a qualifying time and he missed the race.[3]
In August, HRE partnered with MBM Motorsports to renumber the latter's No. 42 to the No. 61 for the Food City 300 at Bristol. Timmy Hill drove the No. 61 to a career-best seventh.[4]
The No. 61 AISIN Group Toyota attempted the race at Indianapolis with Austin Hill and scored a top ten in his first-ever Xfinity start as he finished ninth.
Car No. 61 results
Car No. 80 history
Hattori made his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut with Johnny Sauter drove the No. 80 Toyota at the 2014 DRIVE4COPD 300 at Daytona. Sauter qualified ninth and finished twenty-eighth, one lap down.[5] After that race, Hattori was quoted as saying "we have decided that we need to focus more on our Nationwide Series program”.[6] Sauter would pilot Hattori's No. 80 Toyota for two more races, finishing 16th at Charlotte Motor Speedway and 15th at the Subway Firecracker 250 at Daytona. Starting at Michigan, Ross Chastain piloted the car for four races, turning in a best finish of tenth at Kentucky Speedway.[7] Alex Bowman ran one race for Hattori, at Dover International Speedway.[8]
One weekend after making his Truck debut for HRE, Ross Kenseth made his second Xfinity start and the only Xfinity start of 2015 for HRE.[9] Kenseth started 29th, but he suffered from the limited resources at HRE and finished 33rd, 51 laps down.[10] [11]
The team did not attempt any Xfinity races from 2016, 2017, and 2018, as the team focused on strengthening their Truck Series program and fielding an entry in that series full-time.
Car No. 80 results
Craftsman Truck Series
Truck No. 16 history
- Part Time (2013)Hattori made his major-series NASCAR debut at Michigan in 2013 with Brett Moffitt as the driver of the No. 16 Toyota. Moffitt started fourteenth and finished seventeenth, one lap off the pace. It would be HRE's only Truck start of the year.[12] [13]
- Ryan Truex (2017)In 2017, The team would bring the No. 16 full-time with Ryan Truex as the driver.[14] Truex missed the playoffs in a tiebreaker with Ben Rhodes,[14] but grabbed his first two career poles during the first round of the playoffs.
- Brett Moffitt (2018)The team would return full-time in 2018, with Brett Moffitt. In Atlanta (2018), Moffitt was able to get the team's first win in the Truck Series.[15] Moffitt proceeded to win a total of six races on the season, including at Chicagoland where the team nearly wasn't able to race due to lack of sponsorship, to secure Hattori's first-ever NASCAR championship. With Moffitt's win at Phoenix in November, HRE's fifth ever in the truck series, and Moffitt's fifth on the season, the team became locked into the Championship 4 Round at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The next weekend, Moffitt held off Noah Gragson to win the team's first-ever championship.
- Austin Hill (2019–2021)On December 6, 2018, it was announced that Moffitt was released from the No. 16 team due to financial issues. The team plans to replace Moffitt with a driver who has sponsorship backing. On January 8, 2019, HRE announced that Austin Hill will drive the No. 16 in the 2019 season.[16] [17] Hill scored his record first win at the season-opening Daytona race.[18] Following 2021, Austin Hill would move to the NASCAR Xfinity Series to drive the No. 21 for Richard Childress Racing.
- Tyler Ankrum (2022–2023)Tyler Ankrum drove the No. 16 truck in 2022, getting only 8 Top 10s, 0 Top 5s and finished 12th in overall points with no wins. It was announced on January 13, 2023, that he would return to the team for the 2023 season.[19] On December 7, 2023, it was announced that Ankrum would be leaving for McAnally-Hilgemann Racing for the 2024 season.[20]
- Part-time (2024)In January 2024, The No. 16 truck owner points were bought by Reaume Brothers Racing.[21] In February 2024, the team announced it would be scaling back to a part-time schedule.[22] Hattori would make its first start of the season at North Wilkesboro, with the No. 16 being driven by Aric Almirola.[23]
Truck No. 16 results
Truck No. 18 history
- Part-time (2015)The team raced in the Xfinity Series for 2014 before returning to the trucks in 2015 with No. 18 Toyota. Ross Chastain, who raced for Hattori in 2014, returned to HRE to attempt to qualify at Michigan, but failed to qualify. Ross Kenseth, son of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Matt Kenseth, made his first Truck series start with Hattori at Martinsville Speedway. Kenseth qualified 25th and finished 17th in the Aisin AW Toyota. Kenseth failed to qualify for the Truck series finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.[24]
Truck No. 18 results
Truck No. 61 history
- Beginnings (2021)For 2021, Max McLaughlin decided to put more focus on his dirt racing efforts and would therefore not run another full season in the East Series.[25] However, he would remain with Hattori as he would return to the Truck Series to run a part-time schedule in a new second truck for the team, marking the first time Hattori has fielded a second team in the Truck Series. Ultimately, he never raced for Hattori.[26]
- Chase Purdy (2022)On November 30, 2021, it was announced that Chase Purdy would drive this brand new No. 61 for 2022.[27] On October 18, 2022, it was announced that Purdy will not return to the team for the 2023 season.[28]
- Part Time (2023)On March 17, 2023, it was announced that Christopher Bell would drive the No. 61 at North Wilkesboro.[29] Bell would return for the Pocono race as well.[30] Jake Drew would run five races in the No. 61. His first race with them was at IRP and his best finish in the No. 61 was 10th at Kansas.[31] On August 18, 2023, it was announced that Sean Hingorani would run the No. 61 at the Milwaukee Mile, finishing 23rd.[32]
Truck No. 61 results
Truck No. 81 history
- Ryan Truex (2016)In early 2016, it was announced that Mayetta, New Jersey's Ryan Truex would drive the No. 81 Toyota for the full season, contingent on sponsorship, according to Truex.[33] Truex turned in a stellar run at the season-opening NextEra Energy Resources 250, finishing second. Truex may have won the race if not for NASCAR's "freeze-the-field" rule, which freezes the field when a caution comes out. Truex had lost support from Parker Kligerman, which allowed Johnny Sauter to win in his first race for GMS Racing. Truex did lead fourteen laps in the race.[34] Truex would follow that up with a 20th at Atlanta Motor Speedway and a 12th at Martinsville.[35] Funding fizzled out mid-season, and the team was forced to skip some races in the middle of the season.[36] The team also switched crew chiefs, bringing in Wauters Motorsports owner Richie Wauters midseason.[14] The No. 81 became the No. 16 at the end of 2016.
Truck No. 81 results
ARCA Menards Series
Car No. 01 history
HRE ran four drivers in the No. 01 in 2008, with Sean Caisse making five starts, Justin Marks making two, and Chrissy Wallace and Brent Glastetter making one start each. Caisse recorded two top-fives, a second and a fifth, and Marks recorded two top-tens, a seventh and an eighth.[13] [37] [38] Michael Annett made HRE's only start in 2009, a 41st at Daytona after a crash.[39]
Car No. 1 history
Max McLaughlin returned to the renamed ARCA Menards East Series in 2020 in Hattori's No. 1 car, but with the series having combination races with the East Series, McLaughlin and Hattori also competed in races in this series.
For 2021, McLaughlin decided to put more focus on his dirt racing efforts and would therefore not run another full season in the East Series.[25]
Car No. 14 history
In 2011, HRE fielded the No. 14 for Matt Dibenedetto at Salem and Toledo, where he finished 6th and 12th respectively.
Car No. 17 history
In 2010, HRE fielded the No. 17 for Miguel Paludo at Kansas.
Car No. 61 history
In 2023, HRE fielded the No. 61 for Tyler Ankrum at Mid-Ohio, where he won the race.
ARCA Menards Series East
Car No. 01 history
In 2012, HRE fielded the No. 01 for Matt Dibenedetto at Iowa Speedway. He finished 20th.
In 2017, the No. 01 returned part-time. Jesse Little drove the car at Iowa. He finished 10th. Ryan Truex drove the car at Watkins Glen. He won the pole and finished 19th.
Car No. 1 history
In 2014, HRE fielded the No. 1 part-time for David Garbo Jr., Ross Chastain, and Trey Hutchens.
In 2015, HRE fielded the No. 1 part-time for Sergio Peña, Mason Mitchell, Jesse Little, and Brandon McReynolds.
In 2016, the No. 1 run full-time with Austin Theriault and Spencer Davis as the drivers.
In 2018, the No. 1 returned for part-time competition. Kyle Benjamin drove the car at Iowa. He finished 10th. Brett Moffitt drove the car at Watkins Glen International, where he won.
In 2019, dirt track racer Max McLaughlin signed with HRE to drive the No. 1 Camry with sponsorship from Textron Off Road and Mohawk Northeast Inc.[40] McLaughlin would win at Watkins Glen in the same car Moffitt won with a year earlier.
For 2021, McLaughlin decided to put more focus on his dirt racing efforts and would therefore not run another full season in the East Series.[25]
Car No. 11 history
After competing in East Series for Joe Gibbs Racing in 2010 and Michael Waltrip in 2011, Brett Moffitt joined Hattori Racing in the No. 11 car and competed in the East Series in 2012 with two wins coming in that season. A crash on the final lap of the 2012 season at Rockingham knocked Brett out of the points lead surrendering the championship to Kyle Larson.Moffitt drove the full East Series Schedule again in 2013 without a win, but with a runner-up points finish.
In 2017, the No. 11 car returned part-time for Ryan Truex at Bristol. He finished 25th.
Car No. 77 history
In 2010, Hattori Racing fielded the No. 77 for Miguel Paludo. He finished fifteenth in the series standings that year, with a best finish of fourth.
ARCA Menards Series West
Car No. 81 history
In 2023, HRE fielded the No. 81 Toyota Camry for Sammy Smith at Sonoma. He finished 2nd.[41]
Notes and References
- Web site: Hattori Racing to Run July Daytona Xfinity Series Race. . Toby . Christie . TobyChristie.com . May 30, 2019 . June 9, 2019.
- Web site: Austin Hill to make NASCAR Xfinity Series debut at Daytona . Jim . Utter . . June 16, 2019 . June 16, 2019.
- Web site: McFadin. Daniel. Tyler Reddick wins Xfinity pole at Daytona. NBC Sports. July 5, 2019. July 5, 2019.
- Web site: Albert. Zack. Timmy Hill savors new partnership, equals career-best finish at Bristol. NASCAR. August 17, 2019. August 17, 2019.
- Web site: Johnny Sauter 2014 NASCAR Nationwide Series Results - Racing-Reference.info. racing-reference.info. 2016-04-13.
- Web site: NASCAR: Hattori Racing Enterprises Refocusing, Shifting Attention to Nationwide Series. 2014-05-05. Race Chaser Online. 2016-04-13.
- Web site: Ross Chastain 2014 NASCAR Nationwide Series Results - Racing-Reference.info. racing-reference.info. 2016-04-13.
- Web site: Alex Bowman 2014 NASCAR Nationwide Series Results - Racing-Reference.info. racing-reference.info. 2016-04-13.
- Web site: Ross Kenseth to Make Second XFINITY Start at Phoenix – POPULAR SPEED. www.popularspeed.com. 2016-04-13.
- Web site: Ross Kenseth 2015 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results - Racing-Reference.info. racing-reference.info. 2016-04-13.
- Web site: For Ross Kenseth, a season of starts and stops. www.jsonline.com. 2016-04-13.
- Web site: Brett Moffitt 2013 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results - Racing-Reference.info. racing-reference.info. 2016-04-13.
- Web site: Shigeaki Hattori Owner Statistics - Racing-Reference.info. racing-reference.info. 2016-04-13.
- News: Ryan Truex to compete full time for Hattori Racing. 2017-10-02. en.
- News: Moffitt takes wild Truck win at Atlanta after drama for Kyle Busch. On June 16, 2018, Brett Moffitt held off a late charge from Noah Gragson on the final lap to grab Hattori's second career truck series win at Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa. Moffitt started 16th in the race, making him the farthest back in qualifying to ever win at Iowa in the truck series. . Motorsport.com. 2018-02-25. en.
- Web site: 2018 NASCAR Truck Series Champion Brett Moffitt Released From Team . Amanda . Vincent . The Drive . . December 6, 2018 . December 7, 2018.
- Web site: Austin Hill nabs full-time ride with Hattori Racing Enterprises . NASCAR.com . NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. . January 8, 2019 . January 9, 2019.
- Web site: Hill earns first career win after overtime finish in Truck season opener at Daytona . NASCAR.com . NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. . February 15, 2019 . February 16, 2019.
- Web site: Tyler Ankrum returns to Hattori for 2023 NASCAR Trucks. www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk. Justin Nguyen. January 17, 2024. January 13, 2023.
- Web site: Tyler Ankrum Moving to MHR for 2024. www.frontstretch.com. Kevin Rutherford. January 17, 2024. December 7, 2023.
- Web site: Christie . Toby . January 22, 2024 . Reaume Brothers Racing Acquires Owner Points from Hattori, AM Racing, On Point . January 22, 2024 . TobyChristie.com . en-us.
- Web site: Hattori Racing Enterprises Scaling Back to Part-Time in 2024; Will Not Compete at Daytona . TobyChristie.com . Srigley . Joseph . February 7, 2024 . May 13, 2024.
- Web site: Aric Almirola to Drive Hattori No. 16 Truck at North Wilkesboro . TobyChristie.com . Srigley . Joseph . May 13, 2024 . May 13, 2024.
- Web site: Ross Kenseth 2015 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results - Racing-Reference.info. racing-reference.info. 2016-04-13.
- Web site: Adam . Friebel . Max McLaughlin Turning His Attention To Dirt . Speed Sport . January 9, 2021 . February 21, 2021.
- Web site: Joseph . Srigley . Max McLaughlin, Hattori Racing Enterprises Working Hard on Multi-Race Truck Series Program . TobyChristie.com . January 13, 2021 . February 21, 2021.
- Web site: Hattori Racing Enterprises Adds Chase Purdy for 2022; Team Will Run No. 61 . . NASCAR Digital Media, LLC . November 30, 2021.
- Web site: Chase Purdy Not Returning to Hattori Racing Enterprises in 2023. www.tobychristie.com. Joseph Srigley. January 17, 2024. October 18, 2022.
- Web site: Christopher Bell to drive for Hattori Racing at North Wilkesboro. Jayski's Silly Season Site. . January 17, 2024. March 17, 2023.
- Web site: Bell Returns To Hattori Racing For Pocono Truck Race. www.speedsport.com. . January 17, 2024. July 18, 2023.
- Web site: Jake Drew to Pilot the No. 61 AISIN Toyota at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. www.speedwaydigest.com. . January 17, 2024. August 10, 2023.
- Web site: Sean Hingorani to make NASCAR Truck debut at Milwaukee. us.motorsport.com. Jim Utter. January 17, 2024. August 18, 2023.
- Web site: Stafford's Ryan Truex to race in NASCAR's Truck Series this season. Press of Atlantic City. 2016-04-13.
- Web site: Ryan Truex proves that persistence pays off with great run at Daytona. Christie. Toby. Tribute Racing. 2016-04-13. 2016-04-23. https://web.archive.org/web/20160423110428/http://tributeracing.com/2016/02/19/ryan-truex-proves-that-persistence-pays-off-with-great-run-at-daytona/. dead.
- Web site: Ryan Truex 2016 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results - Racing-Reference.info. racing-reference.info. 2016-04-13.
- Web site: Driver Ryan Truex 2016 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results - Racing-Reference.info. racing-reference.info. 2017-10-02.
- Web site: Sean Caisse 2008 ARCA Re/Max Series Results - Racing-Reference.info. racing-reference.info. 2016-04-13.
- Web site: Justin Marks 2008 ARCA Re/Max Series Results - Racing-Reference.info. racing-reference.info. 2016-04-13.
- Web site: Michael Annett 2009 ARCA Re/Max Series Results - Racing-Reference.info. racing-reference.info. 2016-04-13.
- Web site: HRE Returns to K&N Pro Series with Max McLaughlin in 2019. Hattori Racing Enterprises. January 10, 2019. January 10, 2019.
- Web site: Sammy Smith - 2023 ARCA Menards West Series Results - Racing-Reference.info. racing-reference.info. 2023-06-23.
