I was lucky enough to see this trailered car with it's wings in the paddock at Daytona as a kid while at the Firecracker 250 on 7/4/61 0r maybe 1962? during Speedweeks, because I believe it had already set the record.
It was cool.

"1961 Mad Dog IV test
After the USAC race was discontinued, Bill France put up a $10,000 cash prize for the first driver to complete a lap at over 180 mph at Daytona. Car builder Bob Osiecki took a 1958 Kurtis Kraft Indy roadster and installed a supercharged 460 cu. in. Chrysler V8 (RB) engine. The highly modified Indy roadster was fitted with aircraft-style wings on the sides and on the tail, and was given the nickname the "Mad Dog IV."[70] Several drivers reportedly tested the car in the spring and summer, and Osiecki eventually settled on driver Art Malone to attempt to break the 180 mph barrier, and set a new closed-course speed record in the process.[71]

In July 1961, Malone began taking laps on the Daytona oval in the Mad Dog IV. His initial test laps (sans airfoils) were in the 161 mph range. The machine had been plagued by oil pressure issues due to the high speeds pushing the oil away from the oil pump. The crew was able to solve the problem by moving the oil pump to the rear of the oil pan, and adjusted the amount of oil in the crankcase. In addition, the team was using old tires left over from the Monza race, all of which wearing out after only a couple laps at speed.[72] On August 5, 1961, Malone turned a lap at 177.479 mph, a new track record, and a new world closed-course competitive track record. It broke the mark set by Tony Bettenhausen (177.038 mph) at Monza in 1957.[73] One day later, on August 6, Malone went out for another attempt, but suffered a seized transmission. The car broke into a spin, slid 600 feet, but made no contact. The crew took the car back to Charlotte, North Carolina for an overhaul, and planned to return later in the month.[74]

On August 21, Art Malone and the team returned for another attempt. He upped his record to 178.253 mph. On August 27, he turned a lap of 178.571 mph, just four tenths of a second shy of the elusive 180 mph barrier.[75] On Monday August 28, with about 350 spectators in attendance, Malone finally succeeded, officially breaking the 180 mph barrier, the first driver ever to do so at Daytona International Speedway. At approximately 4:00 p.m., Malone made two slow warm up laps, then turned a fast lap of 175.079 mph. His fourth lap was clocked at 49.59 seconds, for an average speed of 181.561 mph. It was a new world competitive closed course record, and a new track record that would stand for seven years.[76] Malone's trap speed on the straightaway was estimated at over 220 mph. Malone nearly crashed after he crossed the finish line, as the car began to fishtail back and forth. He was able to safely bring the car under control, and returned to the pits where he received accolades from the spectators and press, and was later presented with the $10,000 check.[77]"
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I thought at some point in it's early track use the engine was changed out to a blown Pontiac, not sure. Last I heard car was restored as shown and belonged to a friend in Tampa.

A great story I had never heard, thanks for posting.

It took a lot of you know what to drive that car, considering two IndyCar drivers had already lost their life at Daytona. Art Malone drove Novi's in the Indy 500 in 1963 and 64. This is his 63 car, also a Kutis chassis. If you don't know anything about Novi's they were supercharged V8 monsters that were also a handful to drive..

Great story. Thanks!

Those be some skinny tires, huh

When men were men, it could be said - and also stone-cold crazy...

boy, ain't THAT the truth !