Frankie Muniz is no stranger to reinvention. From the quirky and lovable child star of ‘Malcolm in the Middle’ to a full-time NASCAR driver, his journey has been anything but ordinary.
However, lately, Muniz has found himself facing some of the toughest laps in his racing career and not just on the track. After a string of setbacks, including a mechanical failure that ended his race at Rockingham Speedway in North Carolina on April 18, the driver opened up about his emotional state in a raw and honest post on X.
Frankie Muniz Opens Up About Mental And Emotional Struggles
Speaking to fans in an X post, he wrote, “If I’m being 100% honest… Mentally/emotionally I may be at a new low. Just wanted to say it out loud.” The vulnerability struck a chord with fans, many of whom have watched him grow up on screen and now cheer him on behind the wheel. Muniz’s honesty is rare in the world of professional sports, where drivers are often silent about their struggles. But Frankie chose to share the burden he’s been carrying.
His frustration is understandable. During the April 18 race in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Muniz’s power steering line burst, making it nearly impossible to drive. “I ripped a hole in my hand turning the wheel,” he revealed in a post-race interview with NASCAR reporter Peter Stratta. “It’s probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done.” Despite starting strong, the setback forced Muniz to make an extended pit stop.
This cost him 17 or 18 laps. He eventually finished in 23rd place. While the result was disappointing, the physical and emotional toll seemed far greater than the numbers on the leaderboard. However, whether he finishes first or last, he has achieved a lot. And as Frankie said himself, “We’re trying really hard.” Sometimes, that’s more than enough.
Frankie Muniz Hasn’t Lost All Hope
Muniz has been chasing the dream of racing professionally for years. Long before most fans knew him as Malcolm, he had his eyes on the track. He began stunt racing back in 2004 while still filming the sitcom. After years of competing in smaller races, he finally joined the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series full-time in 2023 with Rette Jones Racing.
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But it’s been a rough ride. Since finishing 10th at Daytona on February 14, his performance has struggled to meet expectations. He hasn’t placed above 21st in the races that followed. “Our goal is always top 20,” he told Stratta. “I’ve had bad luck for almost two years straight.” Yet through it all, he remains grateful for the people in his corner. “I really love my team. They’re sticking with me, and I hope the fans do, too,” he said. “I hope they don’t turn on me.”
Even his wife, Paige Muniz, whom he calls “super supportive”, has tried to joke through the tough moments. “Maybe it’s you,” she told him playfully. “Like, maybe you’re just not good.” Muniz doesn’t shy away from the criticism. “I mean, people are going to say what they do,” he said. “But you know, we’re trying really hard.”
The stigma of being a Hollywood actor trying to compete in a sport as cutthroat as NASCAR hasn’t made the road any easier. “I think at first, maybe people thought racing was like a hobby,” he admitted. “But you earn respect or the recognition as a driver and not just as an actor when you’re out there competing and beating them, right? That’s what I’m trying to do.” And Frankie’s not just doing this for himself, he’s doing it to inspire his son.
