Malcolm actor Frankie Muniz aims for NASCAR

American actor Frankie Muniz, known for his role as a gifted young man in the series Malcolm broadcast from 2000 to 2006, will participate in 2023 in the full season of ARCA Menards Series, fourth division of the NASCA pyramid.

Muniz will drive the No. 30 Rette Jones Racing Ford Mustang and will make his debut on February 18, 2023 at Daytona, the day before the Daytona 500.

“It is with enthusiasm, optimism and gratitude that I join Rette Jones Racing for a full ARCA Menards program this year, Muniz said. Since childhood, I dreamed of running NASCAR, and it was important for me to partner with a team that aligned with my goals and long-term vision, while also providing reasonable opportunities to grow mentally and physically as a full-time racing driver."

Frankie Muniz to compete full-time in ARCA Menards season in 2023 © Rette Jones Racing

Muniz, 36, grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina, about two and a half hours from Charlotte Motor Speedway, the historic birthplace of the sport, where he attended NASCAR races with his family. “I didn’t really know how to become a racing driver”, Muniz told NASCAR.com. “It’s like saying you want to be an astronaut or something. To me, it’s like a fantastic job.” Not anymore, because Frankie has since founded his own team Muniz Racing and has great ambitions.

Frankie Muniz at the Pro-Am Celebrity Race in Fontana in March 2012 a few months before his accident © Victor Decolongon/Getty Images

Muniz began his racing career in 2004 when he competed in the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race, a competition between American celebrities. After two seasons in Formula BMW USA in 2006 and 2007 and a few appearances in the Champ Car Atlantic Series, the aspiring champion was beginning to glean his first laurels when he suffered a serious accident on November 30, 2012, causing several fractures to his vertebrae. , a concussion and 2 mini strokes. Forced to park his cars, he took a break to relaunch his artistic career as an actor and musician. His notoriety allows him to participate in the 25th season of Dancing with the Stars USA.

Unforgettable Malcolm © Twentieth Century Fox Film

But motor racing is a hard drug, and the motorsport community has not forgotten Frankie and has always supported him in adversity. Once his convalescence is complete, Muniz returns to competition in 2021 in the SRL Pro Late Model series and wins his license to compete in ARCA Menards following successful tests at Daytona.

Finally making my dream a reality, this one is for my son and showing him that you can always chase your dreams.

Excited for this opportunity with Rette Jones Racing, Ford, and our partners to go full time racing for an ARCA National Series Championship in 2023. pic.twitter.com/OhbFnlMNKW

- Frankie Muniz (@frankiemuniz) January 11, 2023

“I know people might have a negative opinion about my abilities, Muniz said. I’m ready to prove them wrong.”