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Franki Muniz’s prospects for joining NASCAR’s Xfinity Series now have additional credence. Muniz is not included in the massive entry list for the Feb. 14 ARCA Menards Series race at Daytona. Additionally, Muniz recently confirmed he has completed simulator testing with defending Xfinity Series champion Cole Custer. Last month, he posted on Instagram, “See y’all in Daytona Feb 17,” while pictured with a Ford Mustang. The Xfinity Series race and ARCA race take place on the 17th.

Muniz, the 38-year-old actor and star of “Malcolm in the Middle,” competed in the full ARCA Series schedule last year. He compiled 11 top-10s and one top-five finish in 20 races in his rookie campaign. His best finish was fifth in the Michigan race. Muniz placed fourth in the 2023 season standings.

On Feb. 2, Muniz posted on X his thanks to defending Xfinity Series champ Custer for helping him to prepare for Daytona in a Ford simulator.

“So much to learn and getting more and more ready for Daytona,” Muniz added.

Custer will reprise his role as driver of the No. 00 Stewart-Haas Racing Mustang this season following his championship campaign.

Muniz has apparently teamed up with Ford Performance for his latest racing endeavors. He was featured in a Ford Performance video highlighting the new Mustang Dark Horse and drove the sports car on track during the 2023 Las Vegas GP Formula One race. However, no official announcement has yet been made that Muniz is joining Xfinity or any race team affiliation.

Daytona International Speedway sign
Daytona International Speedway | iStock

Yet, his absence from the packed Daytona ARCA race entry list, published on Feb. 5, further underscores the likelihood Muniz is moving up the stock car ranks.

The entry list for the ARCA Daytona race features a massive 50-car field. It includes a host of ARCA Series regulars and notable names from other series. Among the latter is Cup Series winner Shane van Gisbergen. The Kiwi driver and four-time V8 Supercars champion is getting seat time ahead of his first full season in the Xfinity Series with Kaulig Racing/Trackhouse Racing. SVG will also run a part-time schedule in the Cup Series.

SVG will drive the No. 28 Pinnacle Motorsports Chevrolet in the ARCA Daytona race, his first event on a superspeedway. Feb. 17 marks a busy day for SVG as he competes in the Xfinity Series opening race following the ARCA event.

IndyCar star Marco Andretti also joins the ARCA fray. Andretti, who competed in three Craftsman Truck Series races last year, joins team owner Bruce Cook in the No. 17 Chevrolet. Andretti will compete in this year’s Indy 500 in addition to a more stock-car-heavy schedule. He will race in 14 ARCA races and seven Truck Series events in 2024.

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MotorBiscuit Contributing Writer

Joe Parker

Joe Parker is an expert in new cars, trucks, and SUVs — particularly their driving dynamics, features, and real-world pragmatism — gleaning his first-hand perspectives through his testing and reviewing of hundreds of new models since 2018.

His motorsports coverage reflects his hands-on hours behind the wheel. A recipient of over 20 awards from several state and national journalism associations, Joe is a member of the Greater Atlanta Automotive Media Association (GAAMA) and the Southeast Region Automotive Media Association (SERAMA).