NASCAR: Ryan Truex departs Hattori Racing Enterprises

Hattori Racing Enterprises will return full-time to the Camping World Truck Series in 2018, but they will be looking for a new driver.

The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series has lost a number of teams over the last year, including two multi-truck organizations. However, other smaller teams are stepping up to the plate and filling in the gap. Hattori Racing Enterprises stepped up and raced full-time in 2017, and will do so again in the new year. However, they will need a new driver going forward.

Team owner Shigeaki Hattori confirmed his team will be back in 2018. However, team statements also confirmed that Ryan Truex has moved on from the team, leaving a void in the driver’s seat. The team fielded the younger brother of Martin Truex Jr. in the #16 Toyota in every Camping World Truck Series race in 2017.

Shigeaki Hattori had this to say about his team and his personnel for the 2018 season, according to ESPN:

"“The biggest improvement for 2018 is the people. Unlike last season, (crew chief) Scott Zipadelli is already here and coming back along with our truck chief. We’ve invested in some new crew members at the shop and believe the changes will allow us to be more efficient and bring in new ideas to elevate this race team’s performance.“Our initial goal this year is to get to victory lane and win our first race,. We want to make the playoff field and win a championship. We made good progress in the middle of last season by building a new truck, and we’re applying everything we learned to the new Tundras that we have added to our fleet. We’re going to be even better prepared in 2018 with a larger inventory of updated trucks and support from TRD to win races and compete for the championship.”"