Frankie Muniz, former star of Malcolm in the Middle and current full-time NASCAR Truck Series driver, is recovering well after a heavy crash during the Truck Series Championship race in Phoenix, Arizona, on Friday night.
Heavy collision shakes Muniz during Phoenix race
The incident occurred on Lap 100, just at the beginning of the final stage of the race. Muniz was hit from behind, sending his truck into a series of unfortunate collisions, ultimately leading to him slamming into the No. 18 truck.
The crash was captured on camera, showing Muniz limping from his vehicle and into an awaiting ambulance. Despite initial concerns about his well-being, the 38-year-old later reassured fans that he was unharmed.
"I'm okay, yeah," Muniz told reporters after the crash. "Unfortunate, but I got a good opportunity to run with some guys, I made some passes." He acknowledged the challenges of the race but highlighted the positive aspects of his performance, despite the crash ending his night early.
Muniz reflects on his season and looks ahead
Muniz, who recently committed to driving full-time in the NASCAR Truck Series in 2025, has faced a steep learning curve in his transition to racing at the professional level. He spoke about the difficulties he encountered during the race, including struggles on restarts, but emphasized the growth he’s experienced in the process.
“I just wanted to keep going, I wanted to keep running,” Muniz added. “But there was nowhere for me to go and I got hit from behind.”
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, Muniz expressed his determination to prove himself against the sport’s top competitors. He reflected on the challenges he faced during his limited races this year, saying, “I didn’t have many races where I could say, ‘Wow, that was a great race or a great win,’ but I just wanted to prove that I can battle with these guys, and I think I can.”
Teaming up with Reaume Brothers Racing in 2025
Muniz will be seen driving for Reaume Brothers Racing in the upcoming season. Excited about the collaboration, Muniz praised team owner Josh Reaume, stating, “Josh is ultra motivated, and we’re going to make big improvements in the offseason. We’re going to be ready to surprise people when we come back out next season.”
Muniz’s busy offseason
The former actor-turned-racer has a packed offseason ahead. He will be heading to Charlotte for filming on Monday and later to Las Vegas for the F1 race, where he will be driving a Mustang and taking celebrities on hot laps. Despite his busy schedule, Muniz is focused on preparing for the 2025 season.
“We’ll just be preparing with the team and staying as focused and ready as we can for Daytona,” Muniz said.
Despite a rough end to the 2024 season, Frankie Muniz’s enthusiasm and determination remain unwavering as he looks forward to his future in NASCAR. With a new team and a full schedule ahead, fans are eager to see how the former sitcom star will fare as he continues his motorsport journey.
