Frankie Muniz: Star Hospitalised After Race Car Crash at Daytona
Actor and driver Frankie Muniz, 40, was released from a hospital after a practice-lap crash at Daytona International Speedway on November 11. He said he was sore but credited his Mustang, and he missed Ford's Proud to Honor Veterans Day benefit race.
Frankie Muniz, the 40-year-old "Malcolm in the Middle" star and race car driver, was taken to a hospital after crashing during a practice lap at Daytona International Speedway on Wednesday, November 11, and has since been released.
The star hospitalised after the race car crash was preparing for Ford's Proud to Honor Veterans Day Classic, a benefit race scheduled for Wednesday night on Daytona's road course. He withdrew from the event.
What Muniz said
Muniz addressed the crash in a statement. "I am a little sore, but my Mustang did its job in protecting me," he said.
He also voiced disappointment at missing the race. "I was looking forward to honoring the service of our veterans and racing against these other amazing drivers," he said.
He thanked Ford Racing, the speedway and the hospital staff, and everyone who had reached out. "I especially want to thank everyone who has reached out and for all the prayers," Muniz said.
Details still unclear
The crash happened while the venue was closed to the public. The cause of the accident and the extent of his injuries have not been disclosed. Muniz was reportedly awake and alert when he was taken for evaluation.
Bryan Cranston, his former "Malcolm in the Middle" co-star, had been scheduled to appear at the race to cheer him on.
The event he missed
Muniz and NASCAR driver Austin Cindric were due to represent Team Air Force in the exhibition race, according to a NASCAR release. A dozen Ford Racing drivers were split into six teams to race head-to-head in Mustang Dark Horse cars. Each team honored a branch of the U.S. military.
The race benefits six nonprofits that support military and veteran communities through the Proud to Honor Fund. The Zac Brown Band, Russell Dickerson, Jo Dee Messina, Brittney Spencer and Warren Zeiders were also set to perform.
A racing career with earlier crashes
Muniz was nominated for an Emmy and two Golden Globe Awards for "Malcolm in the Middle". His film credits include "Big Fat Liar," "Deuces Wild," "Agent Cody Banks" and "Racing Stripes." According to his website, he stepped away from entertainment in 2006 to pursue professional racing.
He competed in the Formula BMW USA Championship, then in the Champ Car Atlantic Championship from 2007 to 2009. He was fourth in the 2009 standings with two races left when a season-ending injury led to multiple surgeries, the website said.
That 2009 crash left him with a fractured vertebra, a broken ankle, several broken ribs and a nearly severed thumb. He has described the thumb as "just dangling, like almost off, just being held on by the skin."
In 2024 he ran six races across NASCAR's O'Reilly Auto Parts and Craftsman Truck Series. He has taken part in 42 Truck Series races over the past two years, with one top-10 finish. He was seen limping toward an ambulance after being hit from behind in the 2024 Craftsman Truck Series championship race at Phoenix Raceway.
