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Frustrated Frankie Muniz questions NASCAR, calls for respect after Atlanta

by:Alex Byington•02/23/25•

_AlexByington

NASCAR: Truck Series - Qualifying
Feb 14, 2025; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Truck Series driver Frankie Muniz (33) during qualifying for the Fresh from Florida 250 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Frankie Muniz is fed up after getting caught up in a race-ending wreck in Saturday’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race from Atlanta Motor Speedway.

The 39-year-old Muniz, the former child actor-turned-NASCAR rookie, was running in 11th with less than 30 laps remaining in the race when he says he was pushed into Connor Mosack on the high side of a three-wide situation. Muniz wouldn’t finish the race and ended up 26th among 32 cars on Saturday.

After leaving the medical center, Muniz bemoaned an overall lack of respect he feels from the rest of the field as he tries to make an impact with Reaume Brothers Racing.

“I definitely don’t get respect out there — 100-percent. Nobody goes with me,” Muniz told Peter Stratta. “I think someone put me three-wide and pushed me up into the car that was on my outside and we were out (of the race). I think we were close to the Top 10, which is a great showing for my team.

“I don’t think anybody expects us to run there, so the fact that we were there on merit, no lucky breaks. We raced our way up there,” Muniz continued. “But I’m obviously upset because I felt like we were just cruising, you know what I mean? I was just trying to make it till the end because I knew we were going to be in a good position.”

Frankie Muniz upset with NASCAR over decision to tow damaged truck

Muniz is coming off a Top 10 finish at the season opener last week at Daytona and was hoping to build off that momentum this past weekend with a solid finish in Atlanta.

“It’s just a shame, because my team is working so hard and I think nobody gives us a chance in a sense, and that’s what we’re so excited to prove, that we can run with the top guys,” Muniz said. “We showed it at Daytona with a Top 10, and here we were really close too. We were knocking on the door for another Top 10. I would’ve loved to have gotten to the end to see where we finish, but we really wanted points here because we know there are going to be races that are going to be tougher for us. But at least I know I’ll be in Vegas.”

Muniz also expressed frustration with NASCAR not allowing his truck to get pushed to the garage rather than being towed, which could have allowed him to potentially return to the race. Instead, Muniz’s day ended earlier than he or anyone on his team wanted.

“It was damaged, but I don’t know what the rule is with NASCAR,” Muniz said. “We should have the opportunity to be pushed. But the only reason I needed to be pushed was my starter went bad during the red flag, so I stalled it because we had a punctured tire and I spun. If I didn’t stall, we could’ve got back to the pit lane and maybe fix it and kept going, pass a few trucks, right? Every point matters.

“But I don’t know what the rule is, nobody knows what the rule is. They told me you’re done, I stayed in the seat. They didn’t even know where to drop us off. Nobody could give us any answers. But once they bring you to the garage, they say you’re done. So we were done.”