It's No Joke: Actor Frankie Muniz Set to Make NASCAR Xfinity Debut at Daytona

As the star of the early-200s sitcom Malcom in the Middle, Frankie Muniz was all about making people laugh.

These days, no one is laughing at the 38-year-old Muniz's commitment to a racing career. On Saturday, Muniz is scheduled to make his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut in the United Rentals 300 at Daytona International Raceway. Muniz will drive the No. 35 Ford Performance Mustang for Joey Gase Motorsports.

It will be quite a leap for Muniz, who raced in the ARCA Menards Series in 2023. And Muniz's results in ARCA were no joke, either. He was in the championship hunt until late in the sason and eventually finished fourth in the ARCA drivers' standings.

"I know that moving up to Xfinity is a big leap for me, given my limited experience in stock cars," Muniz says. "I understand the challenges ahead and know it will not always be easy. I want to thank Wayne Auton and Brett Bodine at NASCAR for believing in me and allowing me to compete in the Xfinity Series this season.

"I know that I have an enormous amount to learn, but you won't find someone more dedicated than I am when it comes to chasing a dream."

Muniz is planning to run a limited schedule of race in the Xfinity Series for Joey Gase Motorsports this year.

"I am very fortunate to have the unwavering support of Ford and Ford Performance through my NASCAR journey, and I am very humbled yet excited to be teamed up with Joey Gase Motorsports to attempt my NASCAR Xfinity Series debut at Daytona International Speedway," Muniz said.

Team owner Gase, who has raced in the Xfinity Series since 2011, sees the addition of Muniz as a win for the team, even before race day.

"Joey Gase Motorsports is proud to welcome Frankie to the team," said Gase, a. "Undoubtedly, he brings a lot of attention to our team and the NASCAR Xfinity Series, but throughout the last couple of weeks, I've never seen a driver more determined or focused than Frankie. He will be an asset to our program this season, and I look forward to joining him as a teammate in our No. 53 National Crime Prevention Council car at Daytona."

The Xfinity start won't be a first at Daytona or at a superspeedway for Muniz. Last year, he finished 11th in the ARCA Menards Series race. In April of last year, he finished ninth at Talladega.