When you’re beginning a brand new job, there’s at all times going to be some first-day nerves, whether or not it’s beginning to write for a hip automotive website or going to work at a jazzy cocktail bar. For TV and film star Frankie Muniz, these nerves are setting in as he swaps the limelight for faux headlights and prepares to compete in his first race within the ARCA Menards sequence this weekend.
“It’s funny, I think it’ll take getting strapped into the car for it all to feel real,” Muniz advised the media throughout a digital press convention on the eve of his closing apply session at Daytona International Speedway.
The actor first introduced his ambitions to race within the ARCA Menards sequence earlier this 12 months. Racing has lengthy been a ardour for Muniz: His ARCA debut follows a number of stints behind the wheel at occasions just like the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race, and 12 rounds of the Champ Car Atlantic Series, which he ran in 2007.
“For two years, I’ve been saying it’s about to happen,” Muniz advised the media. “But I’m ready. I’m ready to prove it to my family, especially after the amount of time we’re dedicating to this both on- and off-track.”
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As effectively as wanting to indicate his household that the hours of coaching have been value it, Muniz mentioned there’s added strain on account of his background. Most racers dedicate their lives to changing into full-time drivers, whereas Muniz was targeted on making it on the massive display screen earlier than he caught the motorsport bug.
“There is added pressure, but I use that as motivation,” Muniz mentioned. “Being taken seriously, I think, is maybe harder. Like, I’ve already got eyes on me when it’s my first race. It’s my first real stock car race this weekend.”
Despite this being his first full race within the sequence, Muniz mentioned he feels assured about his possibilities on Saturday. Like everybody on the grid, he’s going into the race along with his eyes set on victory, and believes he has a quick automotive that may assist him get there.
His confidence may even be bolstered by his first ARCA check again in January. In his No. 30 Ford Mustang, fielded by Rette Jones Racing, Muniz’s quickest lap measured 49.403 seconds, and he hit a high pace of 182.175 mph. That efficiency was ok for tenth place out of 61 drivers.
Championship Ambitions
Clearly, the actor has a superb automotive and an excited staff behind him. So, does this imply he’s coming into his first season with severe ambitions to shake issues up?
“My goal when I get out of the race car is to look back and say I gave it my all there,” Muniz mentioned. “I’m dedicating my life to having the most successful year I can.”
But the 37-year-old admitted he’s sure to run into struggles over the course of the 20-race calendar. He has expertise on street programs, and feels probably the most assured at tracks like Mid-Ohio, the place he’ll race in July. But street programs make up simply two races on the ARCA Menards calendar. For the remainder of the 12 months, he’ll be racing at superspeedways and even grime tracks. Muniz predicts these loose-surface races will likely be “one place I struggle,” however mentioned he’s excited to discover ways to carry out in each setting.
“The season is long,” he advised the press. “I know that I’m competing for the championship, I want to win the championship. As long as we’re consistent and keep fighting, hopefully we’ll be there at the end.”
Muniz will likely be on monitor right this moment at 4pm for closing apply on the Daytona International Speedway. Qualifying kicks off on Friday afternoon, earlier than the primary race of the ARCA Menards season will get underway on Saturday at 1:35 p.m. Eastern.
Source: jalopnik.com