From Hollywood to the Fast Lane: Catching Up with Frankie Muniz

You probably know him best from your television screen as the lovable star of the hit sitcom Malcolm in the Middle, but these days, Frankie Muniz is making a serious name for himself on the asphalt! Trading Hollywood scripts for checkered flags, Muniz has proven that his passion for professional racing is far more than just a passing hobby.

Watch our exclusive interview with Frankie Muniz below:

While reporting trackside at Phoenix Raceway, Coast to Coast correspondent JR Ybarra caught up with the actor-turned-racer to talk about his incredible journey into the fiercely competitive world of NASCAR. Frankie shares that his passion was first ignited 22 years ago after participating in—and winning—the celebrity race at the Long Beach Grand Prix. Since then, he caught the racing bug and never looked back.

Today, Muniz is pushing his limits in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. What draws him to the track? As Frankie explains, unlike acting, racing is not subjective or based on someone else’s opinion. “You’re either fastest or you’re not,” he told JR, noting how much he loves the raw, measurable competition of the sport.

It has been a journey of resilience for Muniz, who had to temporarily step away from racing in 2010 due to an injury before making a triumphant return in 2022. Through a deep connection with Ford Racing, who backed him through his NASCAR journey, Muniz was recently pushed into the sports car world and achieved an incredible milestone: winning the GT4 America Championship in the Mustang GT4! After pulling out a bunch of wins and podiums this season, Frankie shared how incredible it feels to finally call himself a champion after more than two decades of hard work.

Now, as one of only about a hundred people on the planet holding a NASCAR license, Frankie is more than content to be seen at the nation’s super speedways rather than on a movie set. Tune in to hear how this fan-favorite is chasing down a brand new dream, proving his skills to the world, and earning his stripes one lap at a time!