Authorities say the driver hit 29-year old Sandeep Singh in Ozone Park last month, dragging the victim for 50 feet.
Eyewitnesses say the driver ran down Singh after yelling a racial slur following an argument.
Joseph Caleca, 55, of Setauket in Suffolk County is charged with attempted murder as a hate crime.
Investigators made the arrest after gathering information on vehicles that were in the area at the time of the incident.
Singh was treated at Jamaica Hospital for abdominal and back injuries.