Two former Mattapoisett men who made quarter-mile drag racing history in the 1960s brought home the California gold in 2015.
In October of 1958, David Vermilya from Atkinson Way and two of his friends headed toward Southern California stuffed in a 1932 Ford pickup truck. Vermilya owned a 1934 Chevy powered Ford convertible, but opted for the pickup. They planned to get jobs, spend the winter, and then return home. The two friends came home; Vermilya stayed 11 years.
Shortly after, Nick Marshall from North Street and a friend headed west in Nick’s Olds powered 1934 Ford coupe. Their main interest was the hot rod and drag racing scene and “Bones” Balogh, Nick’s drag racing idol.
After years of racing their own cars or teaming up with others, Vermilya and Marshall got together and built a top fuel dragster (AA/FD). It was decided Marshall would be the fearless driver who would later be known as “Slick Nick.”
These two did their own engine design and building, figured out traction and handling problems and all the other work required, plus both had excellent full-time jobs.
Taking time off from work, they toured the country’s drag strips, setting record after record. Their accomplishments include Top Eliminator in Pomona Valley, California, and then they went east to Sanford, Maine, where theirs was the first car to top 200 miles per hour. They won Top Eliminator in Cordova, Illinois, and they won low elapsed time in Bakersfield, CA where they also won top speed against 105 AA/FDs.
They went on to Long Beach, CA where they won top speed, low elapsed time, and Top Eliminator, 214 mph, 7.41 seconds elapsed time; in West Salem, Ohio, they won top speed of the meet at 216.85 mph and Top Eliminator. At the Indianapolis Nationals, they won top speed at 218 mph. In Irwindale, CA, at the Goodyear Tire Test, Marshall and Vermilya turned the highest speed ever recorded at 220 mph.
Over the years, the two have been inducted into the Ty-Rods New England Hot Rod Hall of Fame and the Orientals Hot Rod Club Hall of Fame. Finally, after 49 years, the California Motorsports Museum inducted Marshall and Vermilya into the National Hot Rod Association Hall of Fame, presented to them this summer at the third Annual Hot Rod Reunion in Epping, NH.
Vermilya now lives in Rochester, MA with his wife, Caryl, drives his fully-restored ‘33 Ford Convertible, and works full time as a machinist.
Marshall lives in Keller, Texas, with his wife, Sally, drives his 700 hp, 180 mph 2008 Corvette, and is retired.
By Charlie Hiller
