‘Malcolm in the Middle’ Star Frankie Muniz to Become Full-Time Race Car Driver

Frankie Muniz, driver of the No. 22 Ford Performance Ford, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Rackley Roofing 200 in Lebanon, Tenn., on June 28, 2024. Sean Gardner/Getty Images

Actor Frankie Muniz announced his pursuit of a full-time career as a NASCAR driver next year.

Recognized for his role in the Fox sitcom “Malcolm in the Middle,” Muniz will join Reaume Brothers Racing as a full-time driver of the No. 33 Ford for the upcoming 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

“I’m incredibly excited to join Reaume Brothers Racing full-time in 2025,” Muniz said. “My longstanding relationship with Ford has been a game changer, and I am thrilled to help facilitate additional support allowing us to tap into their exceptional technical and engineering resources. I’m confident that this synergy will elevate Reaume Brothers Racing and help us achieve great things together. I can’t wait to get started.”

In 2023, the 38-year-old raced in the ARCA Menards Series. He collected one top-five and 11 top-ten finishes, culminating in a fourth place finish in the points standings at the end of the year. Joining Ford Performance that same year, Muniz raced in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and the Mustang Challenge Series.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Frankie to our team full-time and to expand our relationship with Ford Performance,” team owner Josh Reaume said. “Their support has been invaluable, and we believe that with Frankie’s passion and our collective momentum from this year, we can make significant strides in the upcoming season.”

Muniz began his NASCAR career in 2004 when he raced for the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race in Long Beach, California. He finished in seventh place.

After wrapping up “Malcolm in the Middle” in 2006, the former child actor pursued a professional career in race car driving, competing in the Formula BMW USA Championship. From 2007–09, he raced in the ChampCar Atlantic Championship. In 2009, he placed fourth in the championship standings before stepping away from racing due to an injury, according to Muniz Racing.

This Saturday, Muniz will race in the Truck Series at Homestead-Miami Speedway for the Baptist Health 200.

“I want people to know that I’ve literally dedicated my life to this,” he told People. “When I’m not in the race car, I’m thinking about being in the race car. I’m training, I’m in the simulator at Ford, the Ford Performance Technical Center. I’m working with my engineers and my crew chiefs and the team and doing everything I can. Watching tape, watching past races at the racetracks I’m going to just to be as prepared as humanly possible.”

From Acting to Racing

Born in Wood-Ridge, New Jersey, on Dec. 5, 1985, Muniz grew up in North Carolina before moving to Burbank, California. He made his film debut in 1997’s “To Dance With Olivia,” followed by his appearance in 1999’s “Lost and Found.”

Muniz got his acting breakthrough as Malcolm in the sitcom “Malcolm in the Middle,” which premiered on Fox in January 2000. A year later, he was nominated for an Emmy and a Golden Globe for his performance on the show, earning a second Golden Globe nomination in 2002.

Following his breakout role, Muniz secured starring roles in several films, such as 2000’s “My Dog Skip,” 2002’s “Big Fat Liar,” alongside teen star Amanda Bynes, 2003’s “Agent Cody Banks,” and its 2004 sequel “Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London.”

Following several guest and cameo television appearances, including in the crime drama “Criminal Minds” and police drama-comedy “The Mysteries of Laura,” Muniz competed on the 25th season of “Dancing with the Stars,” in 2017, finishing in third place. The following year, he hosted the spin-off “Dancing with the Stars Juniors” with actor and season 25 winner Jordan Fisher.

During an interview with Fox News, Muniz shared his experiences working as an actor and a race car driver.

“As an actor, like, I’ve been fortunate to do a lot of great things and people tell me, ‘I love your show, or I love this or love that,’ but, you know, it’s all based on opinion,” he said. “I could show up to work as an actor and dedicate my life to the role and feel like I did the best job ever. And then people see it and go, ‘Yeah, it was okay. I didn’t like it.’ Where, as a race car driver, it’s not subjective. It’s in black and white. You either win and you’re the fastest or you’re slow.”