Brett Moffitt Reunites with Hattori for 2018 Truck Campaign

By Seth Eggert, Staff Writer

NASCAR Next alumni Brett Moffitt has finally found a full-time opportunity. Moffitt will drive the No. 16 AISIN Group Toyota Tundra for Hattori Racing Enterprises in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

Moffitt has 13 starts in the Truck Series, including a thrilling victory at Michigan Speedway in 2016. The Grimes, IA native also has three top-fives and six top-10s in the series. Moffitt also has 45 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series starts and two Xfinity Series starts.

Moffitt competed for Hattori in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East in 2012 and 2013. In those 28 races, he earned two victories, 13 top-fives, 20 top-10s, and six pole positions. Moffitt finished third and second respectively in the Championship Standings.

“This is an awesome opportunity for me to reunite with Shige Hattori and get back into a position to win races”, Moffitt said. “I’m excited about the opportunity to work with so many familiar faces. I believe the people in place at HRE are the right group for us to find a lot of success.”

In Moffitt’s six Truck Series starts in 2016, Scott Zipadelli (Zippy) served as his crew chief. There the duo earned one victory, three top-fives, and four top-10s together. ‘Zippy’ will once again be on top of the pit box for Moffitt.

“Working with Zippy (Scott Zipadelli) again makes this opportunity even better,” Moffitt continued. “We had a great stretch together a couple years ago, especially winning at Michigan. Hopefully we can do that again, because Zippy, Shige, and everyone at HRE have built an impressive program over the last two years.”

“I am so glad to have Brett back with us at HRE,” Hattori said. “We enjoyed working together several years ago and he has made the most of every opportunity he’s had in this sport over the last few years, especially in the NCWTS. He’s proven he can win races and is deserving of the opportunity.”

Hattori Racing Enterprises finished 11^th in the Owner’s Points standings after an excellent season with Ryan Truex, lead by Zipadelli. The team earned eight top-fives, 13 top-10s, and two pole positions with Truex. HRE just missed a chance to make the Playoffs with Truex after a tie in points.

“It’s great to have AISIN Group’s continued support of our team and to have them reunited with Brett. We’re very proud of the program we have built with Scott (Zipadelli) and the entire team, and we’re looking forward to having Brett behind the wheel and elevating our performance even further this season.”

Now Hattori and Zipadelli will hope to pick up where they left off last year with Moffitt behind the wheel.