Frankie Muniz involved in gnarly NASCAR crash during race in Phoenix

1 month ago 5

Actor-turned-NASCAR driver Frankie Muniz was involved in a gnarly crash at Friday’s Craftsman Truck Series Championship at the Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Arizona.

In a video shared on X by reporter Noah Lewis, the 38-year-old star can be seen limping and hobbling into an ambulance after the “hard hit.”

Muniz confirmed he was just fine while speaking to reporters after the race and gave insight into how he got into the “unfortunate” wreck.

Frankie Muniz crashed during Friday’s Craftsman Truck Series Championship at the Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Ariz. AP
The actor-turned-pro racer was spotted limping into an ambulance after his car crash at Friday’s Craftsman Truck Series Championship in Arizona. Instagram/@nascaronfox
Muniz, seen crashing at Friday’s NASCAR race, spoke to the press afterward and said he would be OK. Instagram/@nascaronfox

“There was nowhere for me to go. I got hit from behind,” he explained. “I got hit from behind into the 42 … and the 18 was right there stopped. I went right into him.”

He also said he was grateful for his team and the experience he gained from Friday’s race.

“I felt like got a good opportunity to run with some guys, I made some passes,” he noted. “Lost a few spots on restarts, then went back out and passed them again.”

“So it was good for me to figure out how to get by people, you know I haven’t really gotten to do that much this year so that was really positive.”

He explained that he got hit from behind and consequently ran into the No. 18 car. Getty Images
Muniz called the crash “unfortunate” but said he learned a lot from the race. Instagram/@nascaronfox

Muniz, who gained fame as a child by starring in the family sitcom “Malcolm in the Middle” between 2000 and 2006, also confirmed he will be back on the racetrack next year.

“We’re going to be better next year and I got the whole off-season to prepare and we’re going to go get it,” he enthusiastically explained.

Page Six reached out to the star’s rep for further comment.

Muniz made his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut earlier this year.

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Muniz, seen gearing up for the Craftsman Truck Series Championship Race on Friday, also confirmed to the press that he will be back racing next year. Getty Images
“I got the whole off-season to prepare and we’re going to go get it,” he enthusiastically remarked. Getty Images

He announced in October he would be joining the Reaume Brothers Racing for a full-time spot to drive the No. 33 F-150 in the 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, which is set to kick off in Febraury at Florida’s Daytona International Speedway.

He made his full-time NASCAR debut in January 2023 for Rette Jones Racing in the fourth-tier NASCAR series.

“Ever since childhood, it’s been my dream to pursue racing in NASCAR, and 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,” he said in a statement at the time, per Deadline.

In October, Muniz announced he would be driving the No. 33 F-150 in the 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Getty Images
The “Agent Cody Banks” star made his full-time NASCAR debut in January 2023. Getty Images

“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 reinvent yourself,” he added.

The Emmy nominee said in October when announcing his full-time 2025 gig for the Craftsman Truck Series that ditching acting for racing was easy.

“This is something I have been working for for literally 20 years,” he told Fox News “Fox & Friends” host Brian Kilmeade.

Ahead of his debut, he said professional racing was a lifelong dream. Getty Images
In October, Muniz said on Fox News that putting his acting career on the back burner for racing was not a hard decision. Getty Images

“If I’m going to race full time against drivers who, this is their lives, I’ve got to dedicate myself the same way that they are. I can’t be part-time,” he continued.

“You can’t kind of act on the side and do this. If you want to be really, really good at anything, you’ve got to dedicate yourself to it, and that’s what I’m doing.”

Muniz said he was hooked on racing after placing first in the 29th annual Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race in 2005.

“If you want to be really, really good at anything, you’ve got to dedicate yourself to it, and that’s what I’m doing,” he noted. Getty Images
Muniz said he got hooked on racing after winning the 29th annual Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race in 2005. Getty Images

In 2006, he took a hiatus from acting when he competed in the Formula BMW USA Championship, according to his racing website.

He then raced in the ChampCar Atlantic Championship betwen 2007 and 2009.

He halted his driving career in 2009 when he sustained an injury that needed several surgeries.

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