Frankie Muniz said he was feeling “a little sore” after a practice crash at Daytona International Speedway sent him to a Florida hospital and forced him out of a Veterans Day racing event, as reported by Page Six.

Muniz, 40, was released from the hospital Wednesday night, hours after his Mustang struck a tire barrier during practice for Ford Racing’s Proud to Honor event. The actor turned race car driver had been preparing to compete on Daytona’s infield road course.

Actor and race car driver Frankie Muniz was hospitalized Wednesday following a practice-lap crash at Daytona International Speedway, according to his racing team.

Muniz is "awake and alert." according to his racing team. https://t.co/T53QBoaIG3 — ESPN (@espn) November 12, 2026

“I am a little sore, but my Mustang did its job in protecting me,” Muniz said in a statement released by his Ford Racing team.

“I want to thank everyone at Ford Racing, Daytona International Speedway, and the staff here at the hospital. I especially want to thank everyone who has reached out and for all the prayers.”

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The crash brought Muniz’s planned appearance at the event to an abrupt end. He had been scheduled to race for Team Air Force alongside NASCAR driver Austin Cindric.

“I am disappointed I won’t be able to take part in Ford’s Proud to Honor event tonight,” Muniz shared in the same post.

“I was looking forward to honoring the service of our veterans and racing against these other amazing drivers,” he continued.

A Ford representative earlier told Page Six that Muniz had been taken to a local medical facility for further evaluation. The representative confirmed at the time that the “Malcolm in the Middle” star was “awake and alert.”

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Safety crews had to cut Muniz out of his Mustang following the crash, according to Motorsport. The outlet reported that the wreck happened while Muniz was driving on the infield road course.

Before the crash, Muniz had posted the second-fastest time among the drivers during practice, according to the outlet. His strong practice showing did not translate into a race appearance after the hospital trip.

Ford development driver Jenson Altzman replaced Muniz on Team Air Force. Cindric remained part of the team Muniz had originally been set to join.

The event was the first of its kind and featured six racing teams. Each team represented a branch of the US military in support of service members and their families.

Before the incident, Muniz told Page Six that the event carried personal significance because of his family’s military history. His excitement about participating was tied directly to his father and grandfather.

“My dad was in the Air Force and the Navy, and my grandfather was in the Navy,” he said.

“We owe so much to [our veterans], and the fact that I get to race and raise awareness and give back to so many families who have given us Americans everything, I knew I wanted to be a part of it, especially to honor my father and grandfather.”

Muniz also revealed that he once considered following his relatives into military service by joining the Air Force. The former child star joked that the possibility might not be completely gone.

“I guess there’s still time for that to be my next career!” he joked.

Racing is one of several pursuits Muniz has taken on outside Hollywood. He has pursued professional racing while also spending time working in music and business.

Muniz shares son Mauz, 5, with his estranged wife, Paige Price. His racing ambitions have also maintained a connection to his years on “Malcolm in the Middle.”

The actor credited his costar Bryan Cranston with introducing him to racing in 2004. Muniz said the Emmy winner had “always been so supportive” of his career changes.

ALERT: Frankie Muniz hospitalized after crashing his car during his return to racing.

12 drivers were taking practice laps for Ford's Veterans Day Classic when Muniz crashed, causing significant damage to the roof. Muniz was cut out of the car and taken to a local hospital, where his team says he is awake and responding. Muniz will not be participating in tonight's event that his Malcolm in the Middle co-star, Bryan Cranston, was set to attend. — E X X ➠A L E R T S (@ExxAlerts) November 12, 2026

Cranston was expected to attend Wednesday’s Proud to Honor event and cheer Muniz on. Instead, Muniz’s crash, hospital evaluation, and withdrawal prevented him from racing in the event he had hoped would honor his family and veterans.