Frankie Muniz, the former *Malcolm in the Middle* star turned professional driver, was hospitalized early Wednesday following a crash during private practice sessions at Daytona International Speedway. The incident occurred ahead of the inaugural Ford “Proud To Honor Veterans Day Classic” exhibition race. Team Reaume, Muniz’s racing organization, issued a statement confirming that the 35-year-old was transported to a local facility for further medical evaluation. The team assured fans that Muniz is currently awake, alert, and stable, though specific details regarding the severity of his injuries remain under review.
Former actor’s Daytona practice incident forces last-minute lineup change for Air Force team.
Muniz has steadily built his racing career since entering the ARCA series in 2023, transitioning to a full-time schedule in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with Team Reaume last year. His performance metrics show a consistent upward trajectory, boasting seven top-20 finishes across his two seasons, with four of those results achieved in the current campaign. This exhibition event was designed to feature 12 drivers paired into six teams, with each duo representing a specific branch of the U.S. military. Muniz was originally slated to team up with Cup Series star Austin Cindric to represent the Air Force, a pairing that drew significant attention from both motorsports and entertainment fans.
Due to the practice crash, Muniz will not participate in the Wednesday night event, which kicks off at 8 p.m. ET on USA Network. Jenson Altzman has been confirmed as the replacement driver to fill Muniz’s spot on the Air Force team alongside Cindric. Because the practice session was closed to the public, the exact circumstances leading to the collision remain unclear, but the incident has cast a shadow over the first iteration of this veteran-honoring showcase. As the race proceeds, all eyes will be on Cindric and Altzman to deliver a strong performance in Muniz’s absence, while the broader racing community awaits an official update on the former actor’s recovery.
Source: Yahoo Sports
