Frankie Muniz, former star of the hit 2000s sitcom ‘Malcolm in the Middle’, has a new triumph in sight—and it’s not just on the track. After leaving his lucrative acting career behind to pursue his passion for racing in 2008, his journey back has been anything but smooth. Following a devastating injury that left him with a broken back and pins in his hand, Muniz’s racing dreams took a back seat.

It wasn’t until 2021 when Muniz became a father and saw his perspective on life change. The arrival of his son reignited a spark that set him back on course. Speaking on Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s DJD Reloaded podcast, the 38-year-old opened up on the emotional journey back to the driver’s seat.

Frankie Muniz’s noble point to prove in racing

Muniz’s racing career is longstanding, dating back to 2004 when he first participated in the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race in Long Beach. Over the years, he’s been determined to make a name in motorsport, competing in both open-wheel racing and stock cars. However, a serious accident in 2009 interrupted his career, causing him to break his back and require pins in his hand.

In an interview with Carla Gebhart, Muniz said, “I always thought I’d go back to racing,” looking back on the impact of his 2009 injury. Racing had always been part of his life, and he hadn’t given up the idea of a comeback. But it wasn’t until he was holding his newborn son in the hospital that he knew it was time. “I was looking at him and went, ‘Who is my son going to grow up and think that his dad is?’ I wanted him to see me working really hard toward something that isn’t easy.”

Muniz carefully considered his decision to return to racing after more than a decade away. In a sport with few guarantees, His desire to set an example for his son pushed him forward. He wanted to be remembered not just for his acting days or his past in open-wheel racing; “I wanted him to grow up seeing me try to achieve those goals,” he explained. Muniz wants to be an inspirational role model for his son and he is going to do it on the asphalt.

Since 2021, Frankie Muniz has taken significant steps to realize his racing aspirations. He joined the ARCA Menards Series, racing full time for Rette Jones Racing and finishing fourth in the standings, with highlights including a top-five finish at Michigan International Speedway. His return was both a triumph and a testament to his commitment, with Muniz often citing his goal to push beyond past achievements. Muniz then raced part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for Joey Gase Motorsports and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for Reaume Brothers Racing. His recent announcement to race full-time for Reaume Brothers in the No. 33 truck for the 2025 NASCAR Truck Series season represents a new level of commitment in his journey.

Frankie’s need for balance between family and racing

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But while Frankie Muniz’s son was the driving force behind his comeback, it also meant striking a balance with his family life. For Muniz’s wife, Paige, the journey has brought its own unique challenges. She had no idea about his racing background when they first met—she didn’t even recognize him as an actor. “I remember telling her, ‘I used to act a little bit, was a race car driver,’” Muniz shared with a laugh. “She’s like, ‘You sound like a d****!’” Muniz was a child actor in the 2000s since the age of 8 and met Paige only in 2016, so it’s no surprise Paige did not recognize the star of Malcolm in the Middle.

Despite the surprises, Paige has been Muniz’s strongest supporter, even though racing wasn’t exactly her dream. A professional golfer herself, Paige didn’t envision a life spent at racetracks. “I remember talking to her about it, saying, ‘I wish we were together when I was racing before because there’s something about the community of being in a race series. It’s like a traveling circus,'” Muniz recalled. But he also empathizes with his wife’s perspective on the implications of his return to racing, “She’s always been so supportive of anything that I do…but it’s not the lifestyle that she signed up for.”

With each lap, Muniz takes on the challenge of juggling the responsibilities of a father, a husband, and a racer. “I’ve got to remember that I make sure she’s getting to do the things she wants to do,” Muniz explained, acknowledging Paige’s sacrifices.

For Muniz, racing has always been about chasing unfinished business, and his family is at the heart of it all. Whether it’s showing his son the value of hard work or making time for his wife’s dreams, Muniz is setting out to prove that this is more than just a comeback; For Muniz, this isn’t just about crossing a finish line—it’s about proving to his son and himself that he can make his mark in one of the most competitive sports out there.