Frankie Muniz Opens Up About Emotional Struggles Amid NASCAR Setbacks

The Malcolm in the Middle star, now a full-time NASCAR driver, reflects on the mental toll of a tough season while holding tight to his dream of reinvention.

Frankie Muniz is getting candid about the emotional weight of chasing dreams — especially when the road gets rough.

The Malcolm in the Middle actor, 38, shared a vulnerable update with fans on Monday via X (formerly Twitter), following a string of setbacks in his ongoing NASCAR journey. “If I’m being 100% honest… Mentally/emotionally I may be at a new low,” Muniz wrote. “Just wanted to say it out loud.”

His post comes just days after a challenging race at North Carolina’s Rockingham Speedway on April 18, where Muniz, currently competing in the 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, experienced a major mechanical failure. A burst power steering line forced an early pit stop and left Muniz fighting to finish the race — not just physically, but emotionally.

The actor-turned-driver revealed to NASCAR reporter Peter Stratta that the incident caused him to “rip a hole in [his] hand” while attempting to control the truck. Though the pit stop cost him roughly 17 or 18 laps, Muniz returned to the track and ultimately crossed the finish line in 23rd place. “It’s probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” he admitted.

Muniz, who shot to fame in the early 2000s as the whip-smart teen in Malcolm in the Middle, has long been passionate about racing. He first dipped into stunt car racing in 2004, competing in the Toyota Pro Celebrity Race against stars like Sean Astin and Melissa Joan Hart, placing a respectable seventh. What began as a passion project evolved into a serious second act.

“Ever since childhood, it’s been my dream to pursue racing in NASCAR,” he said in 2023, after joining the Rette Jones Racing team full-time. “I look forward to not only demonstrating my ability on the track and just how serious I am in progressing in my racing career, but also showing my son and family what it is to chase your dreams and reinvent yourself.”

And while his journey in NASCAR has tested him, Muniz’s story continues to inspire fans who admire his commitment to following his passion — even when it hurts.

Despite his challenges on the track, Muniz has reasons to smile off it. A long-anticipated Malcolm in the Middle revival is officially in development. The four-episode reunion, led by original creator Linwood Boomer, will bring Muniz back together with his TV parents Bryan Cranston and Jane Kaczmarek. Muniz recently shared that Cranston still checks in on him regularly, providing support that clearly means a lot.

The road ahead in NASCAR may be bumpy, but Muniz’s story is a reminder of something much bigger than race results — the courage it takes to reinvent yourself, follow your dreams, and keep going even when the track gets rough.