Frankie Muniz Shifts Gears: From Acting to Full-Time NASCAR Driver
Former child star Frankie Muniz is making headlines with a major career announcement. The 38-year-old actor, famously known for his role in "Malcolm in the Middle," revealed his plans to shift gears from acting to become a full-time NASCAR driver starting in 2025. Muniz shared his exciting news during a broadcast on Fox & Friends on Tuesday, October 22.
Muniz expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "I'm extremely excited to announce that I will be racing full time next season in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series." The actor-turned-racer disclosed that he would be driving the No. 33 car for Reaume Brothers Racing in a Ford F-150 truck. "It's a dream come true. It's something that I've always wanted to do," Muniz exclaimed. "I'm thrilled. I can't wait."
Despite his acting background, Muniz's passion for racing dates back to 2004 when he first participated in a celebrity racing event. In 2006, he made his professional racing debut and achieved notable success in the ARCA Menards Series in 2023, securing one top-five finish and 11 top-ten finishes, ultimately finishing in fourth place overall.
Reflecting on his decision to pursue racing full-time, Muniz acknowledged the competitive nature of the sport, emphasizing the high skill level required in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. "Making the leap up to the truck series is a whole other level. 36 trucks start the race, and all 36 drivers are really, really good," Muniz explained. He added, "If I'm going to do this, I want to dedicate myself to it 100 percent. I'm doing everything I can to be prepared for the races and be the best race car driver I can be."
Transitioning from acting to racing was a natural progression for Muniz, who described his racing journey as a long-standing dream. "This is something that I've been working towards for literally 20 years since I did my first race," Muniz shared. The thrill of crossing the finish line first in his initial pro-celebrity race fueled his ambition to pursue a career in racing, a passion he has been dedicated to realizing.
Besides his professional pursuits, Muniz is also a devoted husband and father. He tied the knot with Paige Price in October 2019, and the couple welcomed their son, Mauz, in March 2021. Muniz's role as a father has influenced his career choices, with the actor expressing his desire for his son to witness his hard work and determination firsthand.
Speaking about the impact of fatherhood on his career decisions, Muniz shared, "A lot of the reason why I went back to racing was because I wanted him to grow up actually seeing me work hard and strive for a goal and not just be like, 'Oh, I used to be this actor.'" Muniz hopes that his son will appreciate his racing endeavors and find inspiration in his pursuit of new challenges.
As Muniz embarks on this exciting new chapter in his career, fans and racing enthusiasts eagerly anticipate his upcoming ventures in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. With his unwavering dedication and passion for racing, Muniz is set to make a remarkable transition from the silver screen to the fast-paced world of professional motorsports.
