Frankie Muniz announces Xfinity Series debut at Daytona with Joey Gase Motorsports
Next week, Frankie Muniz will attempt to make his NASCAR debut in the Xfinity Series season-opener at Daytona with Joey Gase Motorsports. This is a big moment for the actor-turned-driver. He worked hard to get a deal together for this season.
It took a long time for this announcement to come out. Frankie Muniz was rumored to have a spot at RSS Racing with Ryan Sieg and that group. That did not come together or was just not a real story to begin with.
Patrick Emerling has moved on from Emerling-Gase, leaving it as just Joey Gase Motorsports now.
In a part-time season, Frankie Muniz will drive the No. 35 for JGM sponsored by Ford Performance. He will try and qualify for the United Rentals 300 in the Xfinity Series. It would be massive for him to make the race.
“Can finally announce that I will be attempting to make my NASCAR Xfinity Series debut at Daytona International Speedway next weekend in the #35 Ford Performance Ford Mustang!” Muniz wrote on Instagram. “Can’t thank everyone enough for making this a reality.”
Frankie Muniz has been given a lot of support from Ford. He is a driver that they like to have in their program and have been giving him a lot of backing. The marketability is there. So, Muniz will have to match it with his performance on the track.
Last season, Joey Gase drove the No. 35 car to a season-best finish of P9 at Talladega.
Frankie Muniz will have to outdrive his equipment
One thing that Frankie Muniz has to do in 2024 is outdrive his equipment. Seeing him with a smaller team, one that doesn’t get a ton of funding or sponsorship – it’s going to be a rough year if he can’t find speed here and there.
In the ARCA Menards Series, Muniz was plagued with mechanical issues at the end of the year. He had five DNFs in the final eight races of the year, including four straight. So, what’s the answer here?
The good news is, we saw Frankie learn quickly last season. He finished P11 at Daytona, then rattled off five top-10 finishes in a row. He led the ARCA standings in points, albeit early in the season. His best finish was a P5 at Michigan.
Finishing fourth overall in the final standings, Muniz showed that he could drive. He has a knack for avoiding wrecks, has great car control for his experience level, and is a passionate athlete.
In 2024, I think Frankie Muniz could really impress people. It is not going to be easy, though. He will have to struggle, keep his head on his shoulders, and make the most of his opportunities.