Once the star of the hit TV series Malcolm in the Middle, Frankie Muniz has long traded red carpets for race tracks. After reigniting his motorsports career in recent years, Muniz is ready for his next big goal: honoring a childhood obsession with NASCAR history.

This time, he’s looking to bring the iconic #44 Slim Jim livery back to life. A recent tweet from Muniz revealed his aspiration to race a Slim Jim-sponsored truck in 2025, a nostalgic tribute to the car he adored as an eight-year-old.

A dream fueled by Slim Jims and racing heroes

Muniz’s candid tweet, “I really want to race a @SlimJim truck next season. It would be a full circle moment of the car I used to root for when I was 8,” sparked buzz across both racing and entertainment communities. His words point to a unique connection between the aspiring NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver and one of NASCAR’s most recognizable cars: the #44 Slim Jim Chevrolet.

The #44 car became a hallmark of the Busch Grand National Series in the mid-1990s. Driven by David Green for Bobby Labonte Racing, it was a force to be reckoned with, especially during Green’s 1994 championship-winning season. The car’s eye-catching red-and-yellow Slim Jim livery made it one of the most recognizable on the circuit. With nine top-five finishes and a remarkable consistency that season, Green etched his name into NASCAR lore. For fans and aspiring racers like Muniz, the #44 became a symbol of passion and performance.

The iconic car became one of the biggest memories for young Muniz. It became even more important for him than Jeff Gordon. Fans may remember Jeff Gordon’s appearance on the show Spin City in 1998. Back then, Muniz was a child actor who played the role of Derek Evans on the show. Evans’ request for Gordon to “win races” for him was Muniz’s inner racing fan making a real request for his hero. He even acknowledged later Gordon was the reason he switched career lanes into racing. However, even his love for Gordon comes second to the Slim Jim car of David Green.

In an episode of Dale Jr. Download, Frankie Muniz explained the reason behind his obsession. “Nothing against him, but this is probably an answer you are not expecting me to say. I was a huge David Green fan. He drove the Slim Jim car back then and as a kid, I was like, ‘Oh, man! I love Slim Jims!” 

Though the Slim Jim sponsorship ended in the late 1990s, its legacy endures. While it did come back for a race with Ricky Stenhouse Jr., it seems Muniz’s wish could remain unfulfilled. The thought of bringing the car’s vibrant scheme back into the spotlight, this time on a NASCAR Truck Series machine, has excited Muniz.

A long road to bring Slim Jim back on the track for Frankie Muniz

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Muniz’s racing journey is anything but typical. While his acting career earned him international fame and accolades, it’s the roar of engines and the smell of burning rubber that have always ignited his passion. His motorsports ambitions began in the mid-2000s with stints in Formula BMW and the Champ Car Atlantic Series, where he showed genuine promise. However, a 2009 crash left Muniz with a fractured spine and other injuries, seemingly sidelining his racing career.

But Muniz’s love for the sport never wavered. After years of working behind the scenes in motorsports and raising a family, Muniz made an emphatic return in 2023. Competing full-time in the ARCA Menards Series, he not only silenced skeptics but also finished an impressive fourth in the championship standings. Now, as he sets his sights on the 2025 Truck Series season with Reaume Brothers Racing, the 39-year-old is doubling down on his efforts to prove he belongs.

Muniz’s drive stems from more than just a desire for personal success. In interviews, he often speaks of his determination to inspire his young son, saying, “I want my son to grow up seeing me chase my dreams, working hard at something that’s far from easy.” Bringing the Slim Jim branding back would be more than a nostalgic tribute; it would also represent the culmination of a journey fueled by childhood dreams, personal resilience, and a deep respect for NASCAR history.

The challenge now lies in securing a partnership with Slim Jim to make this vision a reality. Muniz’s pitch is clear: a return of the #44 Slim Jim car, this time in truck form, would connect generations of racing fans while showcasing one of NASCAR’s most enduring symbols. If his racing performances continue to improve as they did in ARCA, there’s no telling how far Muniz could go. With every lap, Muniz is proving that it’s never too late to chase a dream—even one that started nearly three decades ago while cheering on his heroes from the stands.