Image courtesy of NHRA

Calverton Executive Airpark, located in Long Island, New York, has become the newest NHRA member track. 

The announcement marks drag racing’s return to Long Island after a 17-year hiatus. The closest drag racing venues for the region are Island Dragway in New Jersey (131 miles away) and Atco Dragway, also in New Jersey (169 miles away). 

The unique airpark location will see NHRA racing action five weeks of the year, beginning in August. 

“We are thrilled to be bringing back drag racing to Long Island...,” said Calverton Executive Airpark Track Promoter Peter Scalzo. “I first believe that the mention of these events being sanctioned by the NHRA was a major factor for the Town of Riverhead approving our Racetrack Not Street Series.” 

“We are very excited to welcome the track to the NHRA member track family,” said NHRA Division 1 Director Dave Mohn. “This is a long-needed facility on Long Island, and we look forward to working with the track to take racing off the streets.” 

Calverton Executive Airpark features two runways, including a 7,000-square-foot runway formerly used by the US Navy. According to Dragzine, the track will also follow a handful of restrictions, including limited spectators (about 1,300), muffled vehicles, and no traction compounds applied to the surface. Officials will also install concrete safety barriers.

As an NHRA-sanctioned track, the facility will be eligible to offer racers NHRA racing opportunities, including the NHRA Summit Racing Series, the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League, and NHRA Jr. Street. NHRA Division 1 includes seven tracks across the region. Racers in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Virginia, and Maryland make up the division in the northeast region. 

For more information, visit nhra.com or nhradiv1.com.