Malcolm in the F-150: Actor-Turned-Racer Frankie Muniz Enjoying Life in the Fast Lane

May 07, 2025

Take it from Frankie Muniz: You can always change lanes.

Muniz, the star of the beloved 2000s sitcom “Malcolm in the Middle,” stepped away from full-time acting long ago and now races an F-150 in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. On this week's DRIVE podcast, he recounts his life as an actor, racer, band member, father, and more with Ford CEO Jim Farley.

“Racing is one of those things... everyone thinks that they can go fast because, ‘Oh, you’re just driving, I could do that,’” Muniz tells Farley. “Everybody thinks they could do it, but I feel like (racing) is one of those things you either have or you don’t.”

Muniz and Farley cover the wide breadth of Muniz’s career, from his unexpected start as an actor to his even less-expected success as a race car driver. And although these days he spends more time at home in his driving simulator than on the red carpet, Muniz also teases his reprised role as Malcolm in the upcoming reboot of the popular sitcom he helped make famous.

Watch or listen to the full episode on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. And don’t miss the Season 3 finale of DRIVE next week when Farley welcomes classic car enthusiast and former “Tonight Show” host Jay Leno. 

Miss an episode? Want to watch one of your favorites again before next week’s finale? All of DRIVE Season 3 is available on demand.

RELATED MATERIALS