We’re used to actors becoming writers or musicians or even politicians, but actor Frankie Muniz has something different planned for his second career—race car driver.
Muniz announced recently he joined the NASCAR-owned ARCA Menards Series as a stock car racer. ARCA is considered a minor, semi-professional league of stock car racing often used as a feeder series into the three national touring series of NASCAR.
ARCA hosts events at a variety of track types including superspeedways, road courses and dirt tracks. The series uses composite body cars instead of steel stamped and is much less expensive to run, costing an estimated 10% of what NASCAR's premiere cup series costs.
Muniz stated:
“I look forward to not only demonstrating my ability on the track and just how serious 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 drove the pace car in the 2001 Daytona 500 and shared an image of meeting the late NASCAR star Dale Earnhardtin his Instagram post to announce his new venture.
It was—if you hadn't followed the actor closely—seemingly a move completely out of left field.
But Muniz has been involved in racing at different levels for years.
\u201cWell this definitely was not on my bingo card for 2023\u201d— Matt (@Matt) 1673487399
Some people remembered Muniz's long history in racing and celebrated his latest achievment.
\u201cARCA, eh? I'm old enough to remember Frankie Muniz driving in the Champ Car Atlantic Series in 2008. Saw him in the Road America paddock.\u201d— Heather Rule (@Heather Rule) 1673478439
\u201cIdk why people are so surprised by this, he loves racing. He used to race in Formula Atlantic (even visited my school one day) and Malcolm in the Middle had a NASCAR episode. He\u2019s just like James Dean, Paul Newman, and Patrick Dempsey. They got racing in their blood.\u201d— Kevin Nu\u00f1ez (@Kevin Nu\u00f1ez) 1673468313
\u201c@frankiemuniz @RetteJones30 @ARCA_Racing @AtheloGroup @FordPerformance @Ford @K1RaceGear @HairClub @ZampHelmets @AlphaVisionMed1 I remember seeing you race at the Toronto Indy years ago, I'm glad this is working out for you\u201d— Frankie Muniz (@Frankie Muniz) 1673468493
And some folks pointed out it's not like he never raced cars in his acting career.
\u201c@Jordan_Bianchi\u201d— Jordan Bianchi (@Jordan Bianchi) 1673464346
Then there's the obvious joke people were quick to hop on.
\u201cWill he stay in the middle lane?\u201d— THEUnap\ud83e\udd4el\u2b55\ufe0fgetic S\ud83e\udd4e\u2b55\ufe0fner\u26be\ufe0f\ud83c\udfc0\u26f3\ufe0f\ud83c\udfc8\ud83c\udff4\u200d\u2620\ufe0f\ud83c\udff4\u200d\u2620\ufe0f (@THEUnap\ud83e\udd4el\u2b55\ufe0fgetic S\ud83e\udd4e\u2b55\ufe0fner\u26be\ufe0f\ud83c\udfc0\u26f3\ufe0f\ud83c\udfc8\ud83c\udff4\u200d\u2620\ufe0f\ud83c\udff4\u200d\u2620\ufe0f) 1673529719
\u201cOver/Under on the number of \u201cMalcolm in the Middle\u201d jokes when they go 3-wide?\u201d— Michael Henson: A Star Wars Story \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 (@Michael Henson: A Star Wars Story \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6) 1673470120
The comments on his announcement were otherwise a free-for-all on celebrating Muniz, and sharing what the actor means to them.
\u201cfrankie muniz is the tony hawk of homeschooled kids who wore off-brand skate shoes\u201d— parker (@parker) 1673503650
Ultimately, it looked as though NASCAR gained some new fans.
\u201c@frankiemuniz @RetteJones30 @ARCA_Racing @AtheloGroup @FordPerformance @Ford @K1RaceGear @HairClub @ZampHelmets @AlphaVisionMed1 Been a HUGE fan of yours since your Malcolm in the middle & Disney Channel\u2019s Miracle in Lane 2 days @frankiemuniz, so happy for you to be chasing your NASCAR dreams now & will be rooting you on in the ARCA Menards Series this year buddy\u2026 GO GET \u2018EM \ud83d\ude01 So excite for you \ud83d\ude01\ud83d\ude97\ud83d\udca8\ud83c\udfc1\u201d— Frankie Muniz (@Frankie Muniz) 1673468493
\u201cnew nascar fan here \ud83d\udd25\ud83d\ude4c\ud83c\udffe\u201d— \ud835\udd4b\ud835\udd59\ud835\udd56 \ud835\udd42\ud835\udd5a\ud835\udd55 \ud835\udd3d\ud835\udd63\ud835\udd52\ud835\udd5f\ud835\udd5c\ud835\udd5a\ud835\udd56 (@\ud835\udd4b\ud835\udd59\ud835\udd56 \ud835\udd42\ud835\udd5a\ud835\udd55 \ud835\udd3d\ud835\udd63\ud835\udd52\ud835\udd5f\ud835\udd5c\ud835\udd5a\ud835\udd56) 1673564393
Best of luck to Muniz in his new career!
The Bulwark
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