Actor and race car driver Frankie Muniz was released from a Florida hospital following a vehicle crash during a practice lap at Daytona International Speedway. The incident occurred as Muniz was preparing for the Proud to Honor Veterans Day Classic, a benefit event scheduled for a Wednesday evening. Ford Racing, the host of the event, confirmed Muniz's release and shared a statement from the driver regarding the incident.
The crash took place while Muniz was completing a lap around the speedway, according to a statement from Team Reaume. Muniz stated that he was "a little sore" but noted that his vehicle, a Ford Mustang, protected him during the impact. Because of the crash and subsequent hospital evaluation, Muniz was unable to participate in the scheduled exhibition race.
The Proud to Honor Veterans Day Classic featured 12 Ford Racing drivers divided into six teams, each representing a branch of the U.S. military. Muniz and NASCAR driver Austin Cindric were assigned to represent Team Air Force. The event, which also included musical performances by artists such as the Zac Brown Band and Jo Dee Messina, was organized to benefit six nonprofits through the Proud to Honor Fund.
For race fans and the entertainment industry, the event marks a significant appearance by Muniz, who is 40 years old and a former Emmy nominee. His absence from the Wednesday night race changed the planned lineup for Team Air Force. The safety performance of the Mustang Dark Horse cars used in the exhibition was highlighted by Muniz in his post-release statement, where he credited the vehicle's design with protecting him during the practice lap accident.
The next steps for Muniz's racing schedule or further medical follow-ups were not specified. The benefit event was scheduled to proceed on Wednesday night with the remaining drivers and musical performers. Future participation for Muniz in racing remains subject to his recovery from the soreness reported after the crash. No specific investigation into the cause of the practice lap crash was detailed by Daytona International Speedway or Ford Racing at the time of his release.