Anna Newhoff
NCR Reporter
After nearly five years of delays, Callahan’s new drag racing facility is moving forward following a groundbreaking ceremony Dec. 23.
David Hicken and Lisa Hicken also own Callahan Speedway and announced to community members that construction has officially began on the Hicken Power Drag Strip, expecting to open in April or May.
The drag strip, located at 543455 U.S. 1, Callahan, has been years in the making and came together after what David Hicken described as a difficult period that ultimately turned into an answered prayer.
“This worked out in God’s timing,” he said.
Hicken purchased the property in 2012 and opened Callahan Speedway in 2014. In 2021, county officials approved his plan to add a drag strip, with an original target opening of late 2024. However, that timeline was pushed back after an environmental review determined the initial layout encroached too far into protected wetlands.
Hicken then reengineered the design, which reduced the impact to just 0.03 acres. Despite the small footprint, the revision triggered a conservation designation that placed 8 acres of his land into permanent preservation.
“I love that land,” Hicken said. “I don’t want anything built on it. But handing it over ended up being a long, expensive mess.”
Hicken said the goal of the facility is to provide a controlled, safe alternative to illegal street racing, which he noted has led to serious injuries and deaths over the years. Thinking back onto his own experience growing up around racing, Hicken said racers often push limits when there is no clear finish line or safe environment.
“This gives people a place to do it the right way,” he said. “A controlled environment, as safe as we can possibly make it.”
When complete, the drag strip will measure 660 feet long and 50 feet wide, featuring a concrete burnout area and concrete start. The plans also include Jersey barriers, on-site security, and strict adherence to safety and noise regulations.
“If you’re a racer, you’ll race,” Hicken said. “This place just may not be built for every kind of car and that’s OK.”
The drag strip will be developed by Southern Rail Construction and local business owner Heather Hagan, a venture Hicken described as working with close friends. Hicken said the project is intended to be a permanent staple in Nassau County. He emphasized continuous improvement with input from the racing community.
Callahan Speedway and the drag strip will continue to be a family-friendly venue with space for spectators, car shows, and different types of motor sports.
Hicken also acknowledged the financial and emotional strain of the five-year effort, crediting his wife Lisa Hicken for keeping the project moving forward during its most challenging moments.
While the drag strip has largely been self-funded, Hicken said sponsorships and advertising partnerships are now being welcomed as the opening approaches.
“We’ve put everything into this,” he said. “And now it’s finally happening.”
reporter@nassaucountyrecord.com