Frankie Muniz traded sitcom scripts for pit road charts, swapping the glare of Hollywood spotlights for the roar of NASCAR engines. The former “Malcolm in the Middle” star, now a full-time Craftsman Truck Series driver, called his shift from acting to racing “a dream 20 years in the making.”
Muniz, 39, pilots the No. 33 Ford for Reaume Brothers Racing in 2025, marking his first full NASCAR season. His journey, from pacing the 2001 Daytona 500 to grinding through ARCA and Truck Series races, proves even child stars can rewrite their narratives.
From Hollywood Stardom to Full-Time NASCAR Grind
Muniz’s racing roots trace back to 2006 when he left Hollywood to chase open-wheel glory. A brutal 2009 crash fractured his back and stalled his career, but the itch never faded.
“I was always a huge race fan,” Muniz said. “Always enjoyed watching as a kid. I didn’t grow up in a family that liked racing. … I didn’t know how I’d become a professional driver, but I guess I was lucky.”
“I got offered a test by a team. I was really fast. They signed me to a two-year development deal, and the next thing I knew, I was a professional race car driver.” he continued, detailing his experience on “The Bobby Bones Show.”
His 2023 ARCA Menards Series fourth-place finish reignited momentum. Despite rocky Truck Series starts in 2024 — a best finish of 29th — Muniz secured a full-time ride for 2025.
“I’ve gone to do a lot of things in my life, and I’ve had a lot of success,” he said. “But when I put my visor down, I truly feel like I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing. And that’s a pretty cool feeling to have.”
The actor-turned-racer credits a formative moment with Dale Earnhardt Sr. for fueling his passion. At 15, Muniz drove the 2001 Daytona 500 pace car and met The Intimidator hours before his fatal crash.
Frankie Muniz’s Racing Philosophy of Full Throttle to Success
For Muniz, racing’s appeal lies in its unforgiving clarity. “As a race car driver, it’s [success] not subjective,” he told Fox News. “It’s in black and white. You either win and you’re the fastest or you’re slow.”
This stark contrast drew him away from Hollywood’s unpredictability, even as fans questioned his pivot.
His commitment borders on obsession. Off-track, he logs simulator hours at Ford’s Performance Center, dissects race footage, and trains relentlessly. “I don’t have hobbies,” Muniz said. “If I can’t be the best, I won’t do it.” The work paid off: He scored a top-10 finish at Daytona in the Truck Series in February 2025, silencing skeptics.
Yet the Arizona resident hasn’t fully closed Hollywood’s door. “I miss acting,” he admitted, referencing a challenging 2024 film role. “But the focus obviously is racing, 100%.”
Fans rally behind his duality — celebrity charm meets gritty determination. Social media buzzes with support, from Charlotte, N.C., meet-up invites to cheers for his Reaume Brothers Racing debut.
Muniz’s story defies convention. From pacing NASCAR’s biggest race as a teen to chasing checkered flags at 39, he embodies reinvention. As he put it: “The kid from ‘Malcolm in the Middle’ is racing in NASCAR. I did it.”
For Muniz, the finish line is just another starting point.