Frankie Muniz has recently opened up about his challenging NASCAR season following the Craftsman Truck Series event at Kansas Speedway. Despite facing significant hurdles, including a broken rib, Muniz remains passionate about the sport. The 38-year-old New Jersey native has transitioned from actor to racecar driver, competing part-time in the ARCA Menards Series, Xfinity Series, and Craftsman Truck Series. His latest race in the No. 22 Reaume Brothers Racing Ford F-150 during the Kubota Tractor 200 left him in a tough spot, finishing 29th after being down five laps.
Before the practice sessions at Kansas, Muniz took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to express his frustrations and the difficulties he was facing. He admitted that it was hard to maintain a positive outlook and shared his feeling of being “cursed” this racing season. “It’s been so hard to keep my head up. I can’t help but feel completely cursed the way this year has gone in racing. Anything that could go wrong has gone wrong. I broke my rib right before practice, and it’s tough to explain how that happened,” he wrote.
The race itself proved to be another uphill battle. Muniz encountered trouble almost immediately, cutting a tire as he entered turn one. He suspects that his No. 22 Ford must have run over something while behind the pace car, which caused the truck to lose several laps and fall out of contention during the early stages of the 134-lap race. Despite the setbacks, Muniz maintained an optimistic perspective. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to compete in NASCAR, stating, “All that said, I have to trust this is all part of God’s plan. I trust the process I’m going through, and I will not give up. I can’t thank my team enough at RBR Teams; they work incredibly hard, and I believe our luck will turn soon. Also, a big thanks to Ford Performance for believing in me.”
In his heartfelt message, Muniz connected with his fans, saying, “Now, I just hope all you guys stick with me through this tough run. It can’t be fun to watch me struggling… Unless you dislike me… Then you must be loving seeing me suffer! Haha. I appreciate the love you all give, and we’ll be better at the next one.”
This race at Kansas marked only Muniz’s second start in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. His debut in this series took place at the Nashville Superspeedway, where he faced challenges as well, finishing 31st after being down 20 laps. Each race has been a learning experience for him, and while the results haven’t been what he hoped for, his resilience and determination shine through.
In addition to his NASCAR endeavors, Muniz recently made headlines for expressing his discontent with Los Angeles just 23 minutes after arriving in the city. He referred to it as a “hell hole,” despite having spent several years there while filming his iconic TV series, Malcolm in the Middle. His candid comment sparked mixed reactions online, with some users encouraging him to leave if he felt that way, remarking that no one would notice his absence, similar to his acting career.
As Muniz continues his journey in NASCAR, he will be racing in various cities, which is a positive for him since the sport does not plan to return to Los Angeles after a three-year stint at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. This could be a welcome change, allowing Muniz to focus on his racing without the distractions of a city he seems to have grown tired of.
Overall, Frankie Muniz’s journey in NASCAR has been a rollercoaster ride of emotions, filled with obstacles that would challenge any athlete. His ability to remain upbeat, even when things go awry, is admirable and speaks to his character. As he navigates this difficult season, his fans are hopeful that the tides will turn in his favor. With each race, Muniz gains invaluable experience and grows as a driver, and who knows? The next race might just be the one where he finally breaks through and starts to realize his racing dreams. His passion for the sport, combined with the support of his team and fans, ensures that he will continue to push forward, embracing whatever challenges lie ahead.
Frankie Muniz Breaks Down: ‘I Can’t Help But Feel Cursed’ After a Devastating NASCAR Season
