What’s Happening?

Frankie Muniz is one of the most intriguing free agents in NASCAR Silly Season. However, with two months until Speedweeks, he is still without an official ride for the 2024 season. Past comments make it seem likely he will race in 2024, but, what is taking so long?

• Frankie Muniz impressed in the ARCA Menards Series this season with 11 top-10s and a 4th-place points finish. He was very clear that his 2024 goals included moving up into the NASCAR National Touring Series.
• Muniz talked about his 2024 plans a couple of times towards the end of the season. He seems to know where he is going, but, an announcement is not imminent
• Fans are always asking for where Frankie Muniz could go in 2024. They want to see him move up the ranks, and they are curious to see what he has.

The Latest News

Frontstretch caught up with Frankie Muniz twice towards the end of the season. They caught up with him at Texas before the Xfinity Series race, and at Toledo following the ARCA Menards Season finale.

Muniz said at Texas there are, “A lot of really good options on the table”. He said at Toledo that he knows what his 2024 plans are, but the timing of the announcement is still uncertain. That was in the fall, and it is now the Holiday Season.

Since then, Muniz has been silent on his 2024 plans. There was a quickly debunked report during the Championship weekend at Phoenix that Muniz had signed with RSS Racing, but, that’s all the news that has come out about Muniz in recent weeks. If he knows what he is doing in 2024, why is it taking so long to announce?

What is Taking So Long?

There are a few reasons why it could be taking so long. First, Muniz could be working on nailing down sponsorship. It’s no secret that drivers need sponsorship to race in NASCAR, and Muniz is no different.

From a business perspective, race teams want to make sure everything is buttoned up before they announce a driver. If they announce too soon, deals may fall through. For example, Trevor Bayne told RACER‘s Kelly Crandall that he had a deal lined up for 2023, but a sponsor backed out last minute.

Muniz and whoever he is in talks with may want to wait until everything is nailed down before they announce. Rarely do drivers and terms make these kinds of announcements without at least some sponsorship lined up. Key word, rarely.

It’s also possible that Muniz’s plans have changed since October. That is certainly possible, but, nothing has been said publicly. Again, the Trevor Bayne example shows how quickly things can change.

What Rides Are Available?

Muniz is a Ford driver, so, Ford teams are the ones to watch for this Silly Season. Which Ford teams still have open rides heading into 2024?

AM Racing

Halie Deegan signed with AM Racing for 2024, and they have mentioned their desire to run a second car in 2024. However, they may want a veteran driver to partner with Deegan in 2024. Muniz has not run an Xfinity Series race yet, so, he does not fit that description. Still, Ford wanted Deegan with AM Racing, so, maybe they want Muniz there too.

Emerling-Gase Motorsports

Emerling-Gase Motorsports does not have its plans decided for 2024. Despite not being a consistent race-win contending team, it would get Muniz a chance in the Xfinity Series. At this point, his options are pretty limited, so, if this opportunity comes about, he may just take it.

RSS Racing

Muniz was reported by Frontstretch to go to RSS Racing at Phoenix, but, Muniz and RSS Racing debunked it. Still, they have one more car left to fill, and, the two sides may have had conversations. While they did not sign an agreement at Phoenix, it doesn’t completely shut the door on the two working together.

Where will Frankie Muniz go in 2024? Is there another team that we have not already discussed?