TV and film star Frankie Muniz has announced that he will race a Ford Mustang and compete for the ARCA Menards Series championship beginning at Daytona International Speedway this February.
The much-loved actor who starred in the 2000s sitcom Malcolm in the Middle and family film favourites Agent Cody Banks and Racing Stripes, has finally got himself a full-time seat in the ARCA Menards Series, a NASCAR grassroots series.
“Ever since childhood, it’s been my dream to pursue racing in NASCAR,” Muniz said. “It was important for me to partner with a team that aligned with my long-term objectives and vision, while providing every opportunity imaginable to grow mentally and physically as a full-time race car driver.
“I look forward to not only demonstrating my ability on the track and just how serious how I am in progressing in my racing career, but also showing my son and family what it is to chase your dreams and re-invent yourself.”
Muniz first got a taste for racing at the 2001 Daytona 500 when he got to ride in the pace car. His racing career didn’t really start until the 2004 Toyota Pro/Celebrity race in Long Beach.
He returned to the race a year later in 2005, taking out 3rd spot before signing a two-year contract as a driver for Jensen Motorsport but unfortunately failed to score any points during the entire 2006 season. He moved up to the Champ Car Atlantic Series in 2007 and kept racing until 2009.
2011 was his comeback to the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race, he started the race in 15th place and managed to cross the finish line in 4th. In 2021, Muniz made his stock car racing debut at Kern County Raceway Park in Bakersfield, California, competing in the SRL Pro Late Model series driving for High Point Racing.
“We are very excited to welcome Frankie Muniz to the Rette Jones Racing family for the full 2023 ARCA Menards Series schedule,” said Mark Rette, co-owner of Rette Jones Racing. “Over the years, we’ve prided ourselves on working with new drivers who have quickly adapted to the diversity of the ARCA Menards Series and, without a doubt, we believe Frankie can do the same.”
For the 2023 ARCA Menards Series season, Rette Jones Racing will continue its long-time partnership with Ford Performance and upgrade its fleet to include the Ford Mustang starting at Daytona kicking off this season’s 20 race meets.
Keyword: Malcolm in the Middle star Frankie Muniz gets full-time racing gig in the US