The Malcom in the Middle superstar Frankie Muniz left acting in the late 2000s to focus on his dream career– racing. After dabbling in open-wheel racing, he transitioned to running part-time in the Xfinity and Truck Series. This year, though, he marked his rookie season by starting his first full-time season in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with Reaume Brothers Racing. An accident, however, has sidelined him from the racing tracks.

Editor-in-Chief of Racing America broke the news on X, “Frankie Muniz suffered a distal radius fracture in his wrist in an accident at his home in Arizona on Wednesday. As a result, he will not compete at Darlington. Mason Maggio will drive in his place for the Reaume Brothers Racing No. 33 team. #NASCAR.”

He had also re-shared the team’s official statement with his tweet that read, “Frankie Muniz was involved in an accident at his home in Arizona yesterday morning where he suffered a distal radius fracture in his wrist. Currently there is no timeline for his return, our focus is on a speedy recovery and competing together again soon. Mason Maggio will race the No. 33 this weekend in place of Frankie.”

After giving his spot to Mason Maggio for the Darlington race, Muniz himself explained what had happened. On his X account, he tweeted, “The phrase “FML” (Frankie Muniz’s Life) takes on new meaning with moments like these. I’m disappointed to share that I won’t be racing at Darlington this weekend or for the next few weeks due to a distal radius fracture. Yesterday, I fell from the top of a ladder while changing the batteries in a Ring camera in my backyard.

“Note to self: heed the ladder warning that says, “Do not sit or stand on top step.” In hindsight, a taller ladder would’ve been smarter. While I’m gutted to miss the races, I’m grateful it wasn’t worse. I feel for my team, who’ve poured their hearts into this season, and I’m thankful for @FordPerformance and their unwavering support. The doctor estimates a 6-8 week recovery, so I’ll be back in the driver’s seat as soon as I’m cleared.”

Interestingly, Muniz had a fallout with his racing idol over safety issues. Now, he has missed out on safety at his home. The 39-year-old actor-turned-racer has one top-10 finish so far and sits 24th in points. This accident at home means he’ll miss key races, including the playoffs opener at Darlington, and potentially more as he recovers.

Over $10 Million at stake as NASCAR Playoffs begin at Darlington

The NASCAR Cup Series has wrapped up its first 26 races and the regular season, with William Byron winning the crown. Now the top 16 drivers turn to the final 10 playoff battles, beginning with the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington, the opener for the Round of 16. Victory there secures an automatic berth in the next round and delivers a shot at the ten-million-dollar prize. This year’s Southern 500 doubles as a celebration of the race’s 76th anniversary, and with it comes a significant bump in purse money.

Bob Pockrass reported on X that the Cup field will divide $10,447,135, covering payouts for performance, historical merit, points-fund contributions, and contingency bonuses. By comparison, last year’s purse was $8,644,143. In the Xfinity Series, the purse for the Portland race has been set at $1,651,939. That division is still in the thick of its regular season with two events, Portland and Gateway, left before drivers roll into the Round of 12 playoffs. Meanwhile, the Truck Series event at Darlington will award the winner $782,900.

Favorites for the event include Hendrick Motorsports teammates Kyle Larson and William Byron. They enter the playoffs deadlocked atop the standings, yet their margin over the cutoff line sits at just 26 points. It marks the slimmest cushion any top seed has ever carried under the current format.

Looking at the numbers, Denny Hamlin, third in the standings, arrives as the odds-on favorite. He boasts an average finish of 7.9 with five wins in 26 starts, including a win this spring. He has collected stage points in all but six of the 30 stages contested. Hamlin has also led laps in 11 straight races at the venue, a streak stretching over five years and echoing Darrell Waltrip’s famed 17-race run in the 1970s and ’80s.

His 23XI driver, Tyler Reddick, enters below the cut line with a 12.3 average finish. Though winless in 12 starts at the track, Reddick has logged five top-five results. Although Muniz would certainly watch the races at home, we hope he recovers nicely.