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The 2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway took a dramatic turn as Frankie Muniz, driving the #27 Ford, was caught in a severe multi-truck collision and left the raceway in an ambulance.
The intense pileup occurred on November 8, 2024, in the final stretch of the 150-lap race. Ty Majeski, who ultimately claimed the championship title, had been leading just before the incident erupted on the 99th lap, disrupting the race and involving multiple competitors in a chaotic crash.
As Majeski and Nick Sanchez fought for the top position, Connor Mosack’s collision with the wall in Turn 2 set off a chain reaction, leading to a dramatic wreck involving several drivers, including Muniz, Tyler Ankrum, Stefan Parsons, Thad Moffitt, and others. The crash forced four drivers, including Muniz, to end the race prematurely.
A NASCAR reporter captured a video of Muniz limping towards the ambulance, showing the impact of the collision. The caption read, “Hard hit for @frankiemuniz. He limps from his truck to the ambulance,” highlighting the severity of his injuries.
Earlier in the race, Muniz had faced another setback during the 42nd lap of the first stage when he made contact with William Sawalich, resulting in a half-spin in Turn 3. That incident placed him at a disadvantage, leading to a 34th-place finish. His fellow drivers Tyler Ankrum and Sawalich also faced difficulties, finishing just ahead in 33rd and 32nd positions, respectively.
Despite the challenges this season, Muniz remains committed to his NASCAR career, having recently announced he will join the Truck Series full-time in 2025 with Reaume Brothers Racing. After a partial 2024 season in the Xfinity Series, where he competed with Joey Gase Racing, Muniz is optimistic about focusing fully on the Truck Series. Reflecting on his journey, Muniz acknowledged the intense competition but shared his ambition, stating, “I want to be the best… if we could consistently be in the top 20, that would be a huge achievement for us.”
Muniz’s passion for racing goes back decades, from his stint in the ARCA Menards Series, where he secured 11 top-ten finishes in 20 starts, to driving the pace car in the 2001 Daytona 500. Despite setbacks, he continues to pursue his dream, embracing each challenge on the track with resilience and determination.