Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Sports

TV sitcom star to test at Daytona, race full time in ARCA Series in 2023

Most might consider a successful acting gig on a popular sitcom to be a dream job.

But having already cleared that hurdle in the early 2000s, Frankie Muniz has since been exploring other aspirations.

“Ever since childhood, it’s been my dream to pursue racing in NASCAR,” Muniz said via release on Wednesday.

Now, at age 37, Muniz has that chance.

The two-time Golden Globe nominee and former Emmy nominee for his work on the sitcom Malcolm in the Middle (2000-2006), announced that he will drive the No. 30 Rette Jones Racing Ford Mustang full time this season in the ARCA Menards Series. He will take part in testing this weekend at Daytona International Speedway.

“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,” Muniz said. “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.”

Certainly, Muniz’s name will bring interest to the sport and the team and that was a selling point for owners Mark Rette and Terry Jones. But both also stressed their belief in Muniz’s ability.

LONG LIVE THE KING! The Petty name is leaving NASCAR as team rebrands to LEGACY M.C.

“Over the years, we’ve prided ourselves on working with new drivers who have quickly adapted to the diversity of the ARCA Menards Series and, without a doubt, we believe Frankie can do the same,” Rette said. “It is not going to be easy, and there will be a learning curve — but with his passion, focus and commitment, along with the capabilities of our team, we believe we are going to put him in a position to contend for multiple wins in 2023.

“Furthermore, we’re excited that, because of Frankie’s profile, new audiences and fans will be introduced to the sport and Rette Jones Racing.”

It won’t be Muniz’s first laps at the World Center of Racing. He drove the pace car for the 2001 Daytona 500, the race in which Dale Earnhardt Sr. was tragically killed. He also took part in ARCA testing at Daytona last year as well.

But this time around, it will be in preparation for a full season, his first in stock-car racing, and it comes as the latest venture in a busy 20-plus years for Muniz.

Muniz, who also has 24 movies to his credit, took a break from acting in 2006 to pursue racing and competed in in the Champ Car Atlantic Championship from 2007-2009. In the final season of that run, Muniz was involved in a crash at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, breaking his back and nearly losing his thumb. As a result, an upcoming IndyCar deal was shelved.

Afterward, Muniz explored other mediums, including music, where he served as the drummer for rock band Kingsfoil from 2012-2014. In 2017, he competed on Dancing with the Stars and co-hosted the show in 2018.

It all led to a return to the racetrack in October of 2021 as he made his stock-car debut in an SRL Pro Late Model race. Jones believes Muniz could contend right away.

“2023 is set up to be one of the most memorable seasons for Rette Jones Racing since our inception in 2016,” he said. “Without a doubt, we believe in Frankie’s ability and commitment, and with Mark’s leadership we believe that he will quickly adapt on the track and contend for a championship in his rookie season.”

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

    You May Also Like

    Politics

    When George Santos mentioned his family during his congressional campaign, the New York Republican often reflected on the work ethic and strength of his...

    Business

    Two of Sam Bankman-Fried’s top business partners — a co-founder of the cryptocurrency exchange FTX and the former CEO of the hedge fund Alameda...

    Sports

    Kicker Alejandro Mata is following former Tigers coach Deion Sanders to Colorado. ‘Thankful to be committed and signed to the University of Colorado,’ Marta wrote on...

    Stocks

    SPX Monitoring Purposes: Sold long SPX 1/27/23 at 4070.56 = Gain 6.51%; Long on 12/20/22 at 3821.62. The top window is the cumulative GDX...

    Disclaimer: SecretCharts.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2024 SecretCharts.com | All Rights Reserved