Frankie Muniz Opens Up About Surprising Career Switch to Daring Sport

The 'Agent Cody Banks' star is fulfilling a lifelong dream with hopes of inspiring his son.

Frankie Muniz may be best known as a former child star and actor, but he's ready to leave Hollywood in the dust.

The Malcolm in the Middle and Agent Cody Banks star, 37, announced on Wednesday that he's headed down the track of a new career: full-time race car driver.

In a statement shared with Entertainment Weekly, Muniz revealed that he's gearing up to compete in NASCAR's ARCA Menards Series, beginning Feb. 18 at Daytona International Speedway.

"It's with the utmost excitement, optimism and gratitude that I'm joining Rette Jones Racing for the full ARCA Menards Series schedule this year," he told the outlet. "Ever since childhood, it's been my dream to pursue racing in NASCAR, and it was important for me to partner with a team that aligned with my long-term objectives and vision, while providing every opportunity imaginable to grow mentally and physically as a full-time race car driver."

"I look forward to not only demonstrating my ability on the track and just how serious how I am in progressing in my racing career, but also showing my son and family what it is to chase your dreams and re-invent yourself," he concluded.

The upcoming race is undoubtedly his biggest one, but it won't be his first, as the actor told PEOPLE he "caught the bug of wanting to be a driver" after winning a 2004 tournament in Long Beach, California, and that the birth of his child inspired him to follow his dreams. "It hit me when I had my son," he noted.

Muniz shares his son Mauz, born in March 2021, with his wife, Paige Price.

The Dancing With the Stars alum also competed in the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race in 2005 and 2011, where he placed third and second, respectively.

He tweeted the news of his upcoming endeavor online, alongside a promo clip featuring throwback clips of Muniz sharing his love for the sport. "Finally making my dream a reality, this one is for my son and showing him that you can always chase your dreams. Excited for this opportunity with Rette Jones Racing, Ford, and our partners to go full time [sic] racing for an ARCA National Series Championship in 2023," he wrote in the social media post.

As he prepares to compete in a full season of races, Muniz isn't letting the threat of losing get to him—he understands there's a "learning curve," but is headed to the track "with the intention to win" and is "ready for the challenge, 100 percent."

"Obviously, I want to win a bunch of races and all that," he told PEOPLE, "but that personal success of feeling like you accomplished a goal is really important to me too."

Good luck on the track, Frankie!