For most of the NASCAR world, Frankie Muniz is just another driver on the track, a competitor chasing speed, victory, and a shot at proving he belongs. But for a handful of young up-and-coming racers, Muniz is something more—a walking, talking childhood memory from their TV screens.
During a lighthearted conversation, Toni Breidinger, Rajah Caruth, and Ty Majeski unintentionally did what no race car could—make Muniz feel old.
Wait… That’s the Guy from Big Fat Liar?
It started innocently enough. Breidinger, who is part of the growing wave of female racers in NASCAR, struggled to place Muniz at first.
“I’ve seen the one where the guy turns blue in the pool. You know what I’m talking about? Sorry. It’s a Disney Channel movie. Which one was it? Oh! Big Fat Liar! Okay. Yeah, I’ve seen that.”
But when asked about Malcolm in the Middle, Muniz’s biggest claim to fame?
“That was a little before my time.”
Ouch.
Caruth, ever the tactful one, recognized Muniz from Agent Cody Banks, the 2000s-era teen spy film. But even as he acknowledged the actor-turned-racer, he couldn’t help but bring up the staggering generational gap.
“I don’t want to make him feel old,” Caruth said. “But look, that show ended in 2006. There are guys who weren’t even born who I’m going to be racing against. Yes. Like, I think Dawson [Sutton] was born in 2005 or 2006.”
Muniz, who has been grinding hard to earn his respect in the NASCAR garage, has likely heard it before. But it’s one thing to know time flies—it’s another thing to hear it from the guys you’re competing against on the track.
Imagine Zac Efron in NASCAR?
Caruth even tried to put himself in Muniz’s shoes, imagining what it would feel like if someone from his childhood shows suddenly jumped into stock car racing.
“It would be like if somebody from Jessie or Ant Farm or Lab Rats, like someone I watched when I was younger, jumped into this career.”
Then came the kicker:
“Or like Zac Efron from High School Musical hopping into a race car. That would be wild.”
Muniz might have had a good chuckle at that, but the reality is, he actually did make that jump. And he’s here, not as a celebrity guest, but as a real competitor in the sport.
Majeski Keeps It Simple
Ty Majeski, a driver who’s built his career the old-school way, took a more straightforward approach.
“I have watched Agent Cody Banks, never Malcolm in the Middle,” he admitted. But he didn’t deny that Muniz’s move to NASCAR was great for the sport.
“It’s cool to see people from different disciplines come into the sport. I think that’s good for everybody. It could bring in a different crowd of race fans, and I think that’s what it’s all about.”
Hollywood Star Turned NASCAR Racer? It’s About More Than Just Nostalgia
Muniz’s journey from Hollywood actor to professional racer is one of the most unique stories in motorsports. And while his fellow drivers might jokingly remind him of his age, they also acknowledge that his presence brings fresh eyes to NASCAR.
It’s a sign of the sport’s evolution—one where actors, athletes, and personalities from all walks of life can try their hand at high-speed competition.
And in the end, racing isn’t about how long you’ve been around. It’s about how fast you can go.
