Frankie Muniz to Attempt First NASCAR Xfinity Start at Daytona

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The dream continues for Frankie Muniz, the 38-year-old former child and action star known for his work on Fox’s Malcolm in the Middle and Agent Cody Banks (2005). After a successful year in NASCAR’s ARCA Menards Series, the former child star announced on Friday he has a ride for the United Rentals 300 NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Daytona International Speedway next Saturday.

In an Instagram and X (formally Twitter) post, Muniz announced he would be running the Joey Gase Motorsports No. 35 Ford Performance Ford Mustang for the Xfinity season opener and select other dates this year.

“A lot of you have been waiting a long time to find out what I will be driving this season,” said Muniz in a social media post. “I’m excited to announce that I will be attempting to make my NASCAR Xfinity debut next weekend at Daytona International Speedway in the Joey Gase Motorsports No. 35 Ford Performance Ford Mustang. I could not be more excited, more thrilled for the opportunity to continue my journey. I hope you all come along for the ride.”

Last year, the then 37-year-old rookie raced the full 20-race ARCA schedule and finished inside the top ten for 11 of his 20 starts, recording one top-five finish last August after he finished fifth at Michigan International Speedway. All of his starts in ARCA have been for Rette Jones Racing.

Joey Gase Racing operated as Emerling-Gase Motorsports during the 2023 season.

It’s been announced owner points have been transferred which helps Muniz’s and Gase’s chances of making the United Rentals 300. Last year, Emerling-Gase Motorsports fielded the No. 35 and the No. 53 cars in the Xfinity series providing a seat to 15 different drivers. Owners Gase and Patrick Emerling ran the most races with 14 and 17 respectively.

In 2024, Gase took over full ownership of the team and rebranded to Joey Gase Racing. The team owner will run the No. 53, while Muniz has seemingly earned multiple starts in the No. 35.

“I can also announce that I will be doing a part-time schedule in the Xfinity series and many other racing series throughout the season,” Muniz continued. “To continue to hone my craft and get better, and better, and better.”

While Frankie’s name and celebrity status outside the realm of racing is a major asset to any race team, Gase made sure to acknowledge the drive that Muniz is bringing to the table.

“Joey Gase Motorsports is proud to welcome Frankie to the team,” said Gase via a team release. “Undoubtedly, he brings a lot of attention to our team and the NASCAR Xfinity Series, but throughout the last couple of weeks, I’ve never seen a driver more determined or focused than Frankie.”

In December, in the midst of silly season angst, Muniz tweeted he's "Just a man trying to drive a race car."

Muniz’s first official race results exist in the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race, a yearly exhibition race held by Toyota in Long Beach, Calif. that pitted celebrity drivers against professional race car drivers in equal equipment. This event ran from 1977 through 2016 when Toyota’s headquarters moved out of Torrance, California. He finished on the podium in this event in its 2005 running.

Muniz will seemingly not be racing regularly in the ARCA series this year and will focus elsewhere to continue to improve upon his second career.

Last year, in his ARCA and superspeedway debut at Daytona International Speedway, Muniz finished 11th after starting 16th. He survived the instability that came with a bright-eyed Daytona crew and only improved his performance as the season progressed, finishing fourth in the championship points standings.

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